Pucón - my much needed vacation

So last Thursday night I took a trip about ten to twelve hours south with my exchange program to a cute little place called Pucón. It reminded me a little bit of Lake Chelan in Eastern Washington, but you know....a lo chileno (Chilean style). And less dusty. Very green. I just got back this morning around eight and went and did my full day of classes afterward.

We arrived Friday morning after an eleven hour overnight bus ride. We got situated in some adorable cabins and embarked on a little journey into the wilderness. We visited a couple waterfalls and lagoons, smelled fresh scents emitted naturally from the trees, ran into some goats and later some ducks crossing the road, and more. We even spent two to three hours in some natural volcanic hotsprings.

i was so excited i was seriously about to pee my pants

by the way, don't forget: if you want to see the full picture, just click on it and it will enlarge

i was completely soaked after this picture

i'm in the middle...you know, the nerd with the glasses

my good buddy sarah and i in the hotsprings

she has a waterproof camera...in fact, all water-related pics here are courtesy of her

Saturday, many of us went rafting on class four rapids (class five are the most intense) and immediately after went to do an activity called "el canopy". Basically, it's the same thing as ziplining, only it is the longest and highest zipline in South America. I got a refund for the zipline on Saturday because it was pouring down rain and I was already soaked from rafting and really just felt like going back to the cabin and watching 101 Dalmations (the original) in Spanish.

my friend josh pretending to be pro and sexy...i guess he could be a wetsuit model if he decides to quit selling real estate someday (*cough* don't quit your day job, josh. *cough*)

i'm the cute one waving on the left

at one point in the river the current is too strong even for the guides, so we had to climb out, let them fish the boats over that area with anchors, then climb back in and continue down the river

watching the other boats trailing behind

Fortunately for me though, when I woke up on Sunday and saw just how gorgeous the weather was, I went back and signed up for the Sunday session. I had the time of my life and met some really interesting people from Scotland, France and North Carolina. While I was ziplining, some people (about ten) from my group climbed a giant volcano called Volcán Villarrica while others hiked in the Parque Internacional Huerquehue. After all the excitement, my friends Sarah, Josh and I grabbed some classic Chilean food at a local restaurant and we set off for our dreadfully long bus ride back to Viña del Mar....but this time, in a semi-cama bus (a double-decker bus with good reclining seats, blankets, pillows, and breakfast service).

here is one of the ziplines...the cute little chileans hook up the caribbeaners and tell you to sit in your harness and not let go of it...although when they moved on to the next station they always did all kinds of little flips and went hanging upside down

a view of volcán villarrica from the zipline

me getting ready to take off

i just can't say no to steak

bistec a lo pobre - steak on top of fried onions and fries and with a fried egg on top

Anyway, we got back this morning around eight and I am beat. Here are lots of pictures to hold you over until next time.

the view of volcán villarrica as we drove away

sarah and i being silly on the bus ride back

Ps- If you haven't heard from me in a while, it's because my Skype number and unlimited calling plans have expired, and I'm working on getting them back up. Sorry!

Oh, and here is a video of the ziplining, for your viewing pleasure.

Love,
Kelsey