ONE MONTH!!!

ONE MONTH!!! 

How has it already been one month here? Time truly is flying, especially when the weekdays are filled with lots of tasks. It is strange to feel both that we are in the routine and also still so new to everything here. Overall, it was a week of challenges and really great moments. As things start to become more routine and not AS new and exciting, it is interesting what needs and wants start to surface. The first few weeks are filled with new people, new experiences, and a new location. You want to be a part of everything and soak it all up. And then, all of a sudden, you realize you haven't had a moment to yourself for weeks. Now it is finding the balance of our own needs in this space. It has also been a challenge to truly be so inexperienced at most of the things we are doing here. Some activities we are figuring out with some good ole common sense and others require a bit more trial and error. Trying to remind myself that the growth is GROWING in these moments when I feel like I have no idea what I am doing. These have been some of the realizations as we shift into being here more "long term." 

Things we did this past week:

• Weeding and clearing space for planting cranberry plants (I really enjoyed getting my hands muddy, touching worms - feels like I am reconnecting to my childhood again!)
• Babysitting.. In true Chilean fashion, were asked to babysit at 7pm for that night starting at 9pm while the parents went out for a friend's party - they left us some teas and meat/cheeses and we had ourselves a lovely movie night!
• Went into town to help move the meat plant's frozen items due to the secondary freezer container breaking down - you don't see a pallet of full-body frozen lamb stacked high everyday (unless maybe you work at Costco Business Center)
• Played futbol (well Connor did) with some other locals - let's just say they were very surprised by the "gringo" who was pretty dang amazing! I am hoping they let the gringa girl play next time ;)
• We are learning that these Chileans love their meat and it is some amazing stuff! The post-futbol game food included cervezas and delicious meats that they cooked up and served small samples to everyone; muy rico! 
• Hanging out with the kiddos now that the main family is back in town (they have a 7 year old and 10 year old) - going on a fruit tasting excursion where the 7-year-old boy gave me and the sweet 1-year-old various apples, pears, and strawberries to try around the farm
• Some machete and chainsaw work to clear plants/bushes for a new gate - that was some serious weed-wacking but Connor really found his groove with the machete 
• Helping with a mural and some painting at the meat plant to brighten the place up! We had some 80s music playing and were singing away while painting
• Had a BBQ on the farm for the university student completing his 2 month internship here - delicious meat over a fire and other yummy things! It will be sad for him to go - we have learned a ton from him about the culture of Chile and various things about the farm. 
• Pisco sours are a Chilean classic cocktail and we have been loving them! (No sour jokes Zanonis ;) Connor has been digging the Pisco!) Pisco is a grape brandy, popular in Peru and Chile. 
• Received a silicone water bottle to use for the cold - us Californians and West Coast folk probably have never had the need for one of these, but it is a GAME CHANGER! You fill it with boiling water and put it under the blankets and it has been keeping my feet nice and toasty. 

We are looking to stay in this location for the next month, through the end of May. We have been in the process of looking at other locations in Argentina and other countries to see where we want to be next. It is most likely that we will move north as the Patagonia winter is no joke. The weather is definitely still super tolerable, but we know that the temperature is slowly dropping. Will keep you posted for what is next as we speak to more people. 

We miss you all and hope everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is doing well <3 

Love, 

Abby y Connor 

Pisco! 

Weeding!

Morning pan y te 

Freezer storage container -

Looks like Yosemite mountains 

Got lamb?

FUTBOL!!!

3-hour pan - 4 ingredients, best thing I’ve ever tasted

Machete time

The meat plant

BBQ Time!