Pictures from trip to La Serena/Coquimbo

We witnessed the traditional celebration of the fishermen´s patron, San Pedro. Every year the sea claims the lives of some of the local fishermen, and people pay tribute to the Saint so that he will protect them. According to my friend Virginia it is not unusual for relatives or children of lost fishermen to take part in the dancing ceremony. This would explain why one the girls while dancing away got tears in her eyes.

Fishing boats "parked" on the quay of Guayacan, Coquimbo.

Friends Virginia and Janet in Coquimbo´s beautiful Barrio Inglés (English borrough)

A view of the seducing country side north of Santiago.

Midsummer in mid-winter

There are some moments when you´re glad to be Swedish. Well, I suppose there are quite a few, and Midsommarafton (Midsummer´s Eve) is one of those moments. Perhaps because it brings wonderful memories to mind of parties in the brightest night with a promising summer lying before you, with traditions that don´t seem like much to you at home, but grow in importance with every step you move away.
So how do you celebrate this fiest of light in mid-winter? First, get together with some people who can relate to it. Like Patricia, Paulina and Richard, all Swedes at one time or another. Second, pop in some classical Swedish orquestra recordings, serve yourselves some alcoholic beverages, and you pretty much got it! We later moved out to explore Santiago´s vibrant night life. Seems I didn´t remember to take more pictures. Ah, well, must be a good sign. :)

The rain reigns

I returned to Santiago yesterday evening after my two-day visit to Coquimbo, and found the capital completely soaked. Heavy rains had had no mercy during Monday, flooding streets and bloating rivers. Fortunately, since it was a national holiday traffic was not at it´s usual week-day levels.
Since Santiago normally doesn´t experience much downfall, it´s poorly prepared to draw off the water. Streets are quickly converted to streams and later to river beds.
As a pedestrian you´re especially vulnerable since not only do you have to skip and trot through the torrid currents, but traffic couldn´t care less if you get splashed! I´ve seen bus drivers bore unworriedly through vast pools, throwing man-high cascades on innocent by-standers... Where´s the humanity!?
My grandmother told me that in her younger days it used to never rain in the capital, that an umbrella could pass an entire year without unfolding.
Well, umbrella makers must be rejoicing!

Photo: El Mercurio

Next stop: La Serena

After many months trapped in the busy, working-life of Santiago, I'm finally off to see some fresh views. Monday is a national holiday here so I will be spending the next days by the coast in the beautiful twin-city of La Serena, Coquimbo.
My last visit to this place was in mid-November 2004, and it's well worth another visit.

Got to run now and catch the bus!
Stay tuned for some pictures and epic tales.

Also coming up: Swedish midsummer celebration in nocturnal Santiago.

Now, to the north!
Gabriel

"I hit the snooze button one too many times"
Eric gives us a brilliant display of human emotions. Visit this great site here.

Which is your favorite?

Me getting acquainted with a cappuccino-monkey in Bolivia´s sub-tropics. Photo by Christian Jordán.

That´s me. A friend thought I look just like a pizza baker. I´m taking it as a compliment.

Blogtime!

When I woke up this morning from unsettling dreams, it was different. As I lay on my back, I sensed that something had changed. No, I was not a bug. But the moment had arrived. I stepped out of bed, with a mind set to achieve greatness, to conquer monumentality™. There was no longer any doubt, nothing to ponder, and as if by themselves, driven by some superior cause, my fingers typed the following line on the screen: My life at the foot of the Andes.

Yes, that´s right. Another one of them semi-interesting, ego-orbiting, don´t-know-what-to-write-today self-publications.

The main purpose of this bulletin is of course not to promote my person or anything like that, but to help my family and friends to have a peek into my life, a view through my window. I´m currently living in Santiago, Chile, far from my native lands of Sweden. I´m a friend of the butterfly effect - I write something here on the blog -- and someone back home makes a smile (or it rains in New York).

So, it was nice to have your attention - let´s make it a habit!

Gabriel
humble mastermind behind M.L.A.T.F.O.T.A.