Christmas Eve

Valparaíso, Chile from 24 December 2008

In search of Sushi, we went to Valpo to find a restaurant that Loreto had recommended, but we ended up eating somewhere else since most restaurants were closed. We wandered along the port, took photos, and called my host family to see if, even though I was pretty sure they already had visitors, we could maybe meet up while Steph and Carrie were intown. It turned out that Devon, another one of the host students from Lewis and Clark, wasn't going to be there until the weekend and my host mom (Adela), upon getting the phone away from her son, said "¡Ahhhh, mijita! ¡Ven a pasar la navidad con tú mamá!" (Ah, my daughter, come spend Christmas with your mom!) ... Well, okay! We scampared into a store to buy wine, cookies and cake and then got flowers with Steph near Plaza O'Higgins. We called Carrie's family to let them know the change in plans, and skipped off to find a micro or colectivo to Cerro Esperanza while Steph and Carrie went back to Viña to Carrie's house.

IT WAS WONDERFUL to see my host family - I'd been afraid that they would be too busy or that such short notice would be a problem, but they were great. Jay and Hernán (my host father) talked about model boats, Carlos (my host brother) and I caught up on life, and he showed us the bees he is keeping (Jay wasn't so keen on that bit). Hernán and Adela showed us how to waltz, Andrés arrived, and dinner was served. It turned out to be just the 6 of us - no extended family or friends. Carlos toasted to good company and added about Jay, "He seems like a very good man and I'm glad that he's at your side."

After dinner, Jenny's family came over (Benjamin wanted his gifts), and they stayed to talk with Adela and Hernán while Carlos, Andrés, Jay and I chatted in the living room. We stayed up talking for a long time and finally they gave us a ride home at around 2 AM. We crashed, warm, happy and well-fed.