For some time now, we have seen evidence that hot dogs are very popular in Chile. In the supermarket (supermercado) for example, there may be a large section of a cooler devoted to the mighty wiener.
On the street, it is common to see people (mostly youth) eating gigantic dogs. Not only are they gigantic, but they have unusual toppings. It is these that have caught our attention! We needed to know more.....
The investigation led us to the conclusion that they are called "COMPLETOS". Further research uncovered more detail. To get the toppings that we were so curious about, we would have to order the "Completo Italiano"! While Charlene was integral in gathering the information, it was me that would be faced with the challenge of the taste test. (After all, she had the animal stomach and the fish soup. How much risk could there be in a hot dog . . . really!) But first . . . why "Italiano"? What we have been told is that the toppings are made to represent the colours of the Italian flag . . .
Red = Ketchup / White = Mayonnaise / Green = Guacamole
Estuvo rico. (It was good) Personally, I would back off the mayo and add some Mozza but when in Rome . . .
Sometimes we think that we have seen all that Vina del Mar has to offer, but of course, there is always more. We have been aware for some time now (thanks Willa) of a botanical garden on the outskirts of the city. On this day, we would set out to discover the Jardin Botanico.
We would soon be reminded of the life lesson that the journey is often at least as interesting as the destination!
With address in hand, we proceeded to wait for the appropriate bus. It soon became clear that our information was either outdated or just plain wrong! There would be no such bus, at least not where we were waiting. However, after jumping on a bus or two and showing the driver the address, we found ourselves on our way. The driver even told us when it was time to get off and which way to walk. Beauty! . . . . but it didn't take long to realize that we were now . . . lost. Standing beside the highway, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, we had but one option . . . . ask for directions. Even that option seemed limited, but we did see one business with a car parked in front. There were two women there that spoke no English. Sometimes the language barrier can be a fun, often rewarding challenge. Other times, it's pure frustration. This one was headed toward the latter. The woman that was speaking seemed to be quite agitated (we think that it was directed at the bus driver for dropping us off where he did, but we're not really sure). At one point, Charlene asked her if she would speak slowly so we could understand her better. She stopped, stepped closer and slowly, deliberately and sarcastically said "SI". It is hard to say whether she was crazy or just playing with us! Whatever the case, we didn't sense any danger, and our options were limited! Finally, she motioned that we get in her car and all four of us were off to . . . well . . . Jardin Botanico we hoped. (Note: For all you children out there . . . never get into a car with a stranger!!)
After driving over a curb, going the wrong way down a highway exit ramp, and finally on to the highway, we were on our way, and the mood seemed to lighten considerably. The two Chilean women were now laughing and talking while indicating to us that we may never have gotten to our destination on foot. Of course, they took us directly to the front gate of the gardens, and in return for their kindness (??) we gave them each Canadian and Saskatchewan lapel pins.
"Jardin Botánico Nacional is Chile’s national botanical garden. It covers an area of 40 hectares and is home to over 3000 native and exotic plants species. The park is a great place to enjoy a relaxing walk and picnic. The gardens were badly damaged by wildfires a few years ago so barbeques and open fires are strictly forbidden."(Exerpt from Viva Travel Guide)
The gardens are meant to be a reflection of the different types of vegetation in Chile and the park is broken up into different areas. We spent a couple of hours meandering around the lake and desert. For the most part, I will let the pictures tell the story....
This is a great time of year for visiting as the weather is good and the tourists are few.
We virtually had the entire park to ourselves!
Muy tranquilo. (very peaceful)
Charlene was imagining that Andrea and Justin's wedding pictures could be shot here!
I think that they would need some convincing but it is fun to dream!
And now to the desert. A large part of northern Chile is desert (The Atacama). There are parts of the desert that have never recorded rainfall.
You may have noticed some purple flowers in the previous picture. This is a close up of those flowers. They are fairly common around Vina and are striking because of their very, very vivid colour.
We may get as far north as La Serena but will probably not see the extreme north of Chile. Aside from the desert, northern Chile is known for mining (copper mostly) and as being one of the best places in the world for star gazing. Clear skies and very little light pollution make it ideal.
The Jardin Botanical was splendid in it's tranquility and we enjoyed being away from the hustle of the city for a few hours. Chile is a very beautiful place. Unlike Rome, for example, where there are wonders around every corner, in Chile you have to work a little harder to find the gems. However, we are finding them, and somehow, when we have to work for them, they are that much better!
Random notes:
Getting home from the gardens was easy! Found a bus stop, headed toward town and got off when we got close to home!
While I write this (Monday Oct. 27), Charlene is teaching her first student! He is 30 years old, teaches Food Engineering at a local university and is working toward his PhD by studying three days a week in Santiago. Today's class is mostly exploration to find out how much he knows and where he needs help. Generally, his English is very good. While it is good to be able to communicate with him, it is also more difficult to measure progress at an intermediate or advanced level.
Not that we are counting . . . ok sometimes we do . . . but it has now been nine weeks since leaving Saskatoon (August 25)! As many of you had predicted it would, time is indeed flying by.
Hasta luego,
Amor,
Norm & Charlene
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