We went to a lovely wedding for Sebastian's childhood friend in Valdivia- it is such a gorgeous place to visit, although I have been told that the winters there I would not like, very cold. I did not understand much of the actual ceremony at all as it was in Spanish but I was outside with the kids as they were having so much fun playing together and would never sit still in a church for a long service. There were many people who spoke English so my day/night was pretty easy. Valdivia itself was good too, with so many other blonde haired people there Alyssa and I did not stand out, it was a novelty for us.
One of my good friends left Antofagasta for Iquique. She has been a rock of support for me through everything and continues to be so even though she is not in the same town.
So most of you have heard about the big earthquake that occured in the south of Chile in the early hours of February 27th. We did not feel a thing here in Antofagasta but did feel some of the effects in the supermarkets with many items running low or sold out. It also gave me a wake up call to make sure we have an emergency backpack ready to go, which I need to restock and evaluate again. The week prior to the one down south we had a tremmor and have had a few since. This is not something that I am used to nor do I think I will ever get used to. The local expat group raised $200 towards products to be delievered down south. The rebuild effort will take a LONG time to complete and visiting Santiago on the weekend we could see some of the damage first hand in an area that was not as much effected as Concepcion.
Sebastian has been working away at least 1 night a week if not 2 but that means 2 full days or 3 full days away plus the work in town which is late nights. This is hard on Alyssa and I and we are trying to find ways to cope. I am not good at being alone at nights.
Alyssa started school at the local International school and really seems to be enjoying it. She has been the only English speaker in her class up until now as a friend has put her daughter into the school and in Alyssa's class. I think this will help Alyssa a lot she needs a friend she can speak to easily, she gets by with speaking English and the other kids speaking Spanish but this will help her a lot. I am also going in there and reading to the kids in her class on a Monday. So far it has not been too successful they seem to not want to sit still at all- but I speak in English as this is what they are supposed to have. Alyssa is doing well with the tasks and is now even drawing people!! and they are the cute heads with arms and legs stage LOL.
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We travelled to Santiago this past weekend with a few things in mind to do, the Zoo with the kids, a farewell to friends returning to the USA, visiting Sebastian's relatives in Rancagua and shopping. It was a packed full weekend and we even got to see some rain, I know to some this may not be exciting but living in Antofagasta where there is NO rain means this was a real novelty for us. It was a great weekend but sad to see some great friends leave, that is the nature of the mining industry and living overseas.
I have been sewing a little bit and crafting which is all on my other blog- http://skipchaseydesigns.blogspot.com/
Well I suppose that is all to report at the moment. I will again try to keep this updated more often but cannot promise anything. Chao for now.
