Hi friends and family,
While there is not a whole lot that is new to report, since I last wrote, I thought I'd post an update so you would know we are alive and well, here, in still-quaking Chile. Yes, the tremors (called temblores, in Spanish) are still happening daily, but they are pretty mellow and rarely cause alarm. Any building or road that survived the 8.8 three weeks ago certainly holds strong for a minor tremor! It sounds odd, I'm sure, but we have grown accustomed to them.
We are staying in a cabin in the town of Buchupureo and have continued to enjoy our time here, including the surf, helping out, making new friends, and learning Spanish. LJ has been kind enough to give us some more structured Spanish instruction lately. That, combined with immersion in conversations with the families we have befriended, means that Ryan and I both are feeling our progress with speaking and understanding Spanish.
As you began to see in the photos I posted last week, most of the work we have been doing here has involved deconstruction of damaged homes. Yesterday we went to a new level, I think, when we tore out the ceiling boards of Pepe & Irene's house and ended up covered from head to toe, including every orifice, in the dust that has been accumulating under their roof tiles for 50 years. Besides the pleasure I've gained from learning a new skill --how to use a crow-bar--we feel so good about helping them salvage building materials that they will be able to use to rebuild.
While Pepe & Irene and their families have continued to show us their gratitude by inviting us into their homes for amazing lunches, their grandkids have also welcomed us at their waves. El Furgon is currently the official surf-mobile of Buchupureo, as you will see from the following photos:
While there is not a whole lot that is new to report, since I last wrote, I thought I'd post an update so you would know we are alive and well, here, in still-quaking Chile. Yes, the tremors (called temblores, in Spanish) are still happening daily, but they are pretty mellow and rarely cause alarm. Any building or road that survived the 8.8 three weeks ago certainly holds strong for a minor tremor! It sounds odd, I'm sure, but we have grown accustomed to them.
We are staying in a cabin in the town of Buchupureo and have continued to enjoy our time here, including the surf, helping out, making new friends, and learning Spanish. LJ has been kind enough to give us some more structured Spanish instruction lately. That, combined with immersion in conversations with the families we have befriended, means that Ryan and I both are feeling our progress with speaking and understanding Spanish.
As you began to see in the photos I posted last week, most of the work we have been doing here has involved deconstruction of damaged homes. Yesterday we went to a new level, I think, when we tore out the ceiling boards of Pepe & Irene's house and ended up covered from head to toe, including every orifice, in the dust that has been accumulating under their roof tiles for 50 years. Besides the pleasure I've gained from learning a new skill --how to use a crow-bar--we feel so good about helping them salvage building materials that they will be able to use to rebuild.
While Pepe & Irene and their families have continued to show us their gratitude by inviting us into their homes for amazing lunches, their grandkids have also welcomed us at their waves. El Furgon is currently the official surf-mobile of Buchupureo, as you will see from the following photos:
Local surfers (yes, that is LJ in his tighty undies on the right...)
The record is 9 people in El Furgon. Fun times!
These are the real local surfers--our new friends!
This gatito (little cat) is one of our new friends, too. We named her Terremota, after the earthquake. So, that's the news from Quaking Chile. We are still enjoying our time here, immensely. We are doing our best to spread love and goodwill, through working and playing with new friends. We have purchased our plane tickets home, for April 15th into Eugene (just so you know that we are planning to come back). In the meanwhile, we have some more exploring, surfing, learning, and growing to do. We hope you are enjoying each day, and your loved ones.
Con mucho amor,
Jess & Ryan (and LJ)
This is from a couple weeks ago, but is one of my favorite pics of us, just in case you had forgotten what we look like!
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWell, the love and help going around must be enormous since the pics and writings express this entracte so clearly. We certainly have been appreciative of your first hand experiences and through your eyes been amazed and impressed by all. I know your trip there will be a memory never forgotten, and a growing experience for the path it became for the two of you. Friends, families,and loved ones have cherished you both throughout all, and wait for the continued rest of the story. The experience of sharing all, while being in the thick of things, with the unexpected turns and events presented and some anxious times had and has not been lost on anyone following your Blog. Not just the fun trip planned huh, sites to see, people to mingle with, but instead life altering events,a time to realize and really appreciate the frailities of life and the strenght of Mother Nature. You both have been blessed and put there with all that you bring to the table for reasons don't ever down play. Your Moon,Sun,Stars! You have had the unique exposures of the past to make you both ready for the challenges faced and handled brilliantly as the wonderful kids that you are. Nice to be given the opportunity to polish your language skills and dialects, which I have a funny feeling you'll be using to the future,extensively.
Gosh, what is next on the horizons, makes me wonder and wander if this is how you started out your FIRST year of Marriage!? Happy to be Anniversary just encase you are too removed and remote to write and receive our good wishes! After reading the latest posts are you renting out your house again and going elsewhere?
Has the baby come into this world yet? We're waiting the news,and on baited breath I know Laura,Jim and Dody are and for sure Kimmy and Randy. Hope the little bundly of joy doesn't decide to come late and on my B'day, wouldn't that be something.
Keep up the good work and enjoy every minute as I know y'all are.
Travel safely home to Oregon,and by the way how do you fly, making any interesting stops?
Love and miss you. Mom and Osmo