Pucon

We are now in Pucon, a resort town on Lago Villarrica (Lake Villarrica). We have been paddling on the Rio Luicura, and will be transitioning to the Rio Trancura soon. Our group is really starting to cement, and doing great. Everyone is taking turns cooking, cleaning, and doing lots of lessons. We will have more posts from the kids in the next couple of days!

- Sean

Update from Pucon

Since our last entry, we have paddled tons and introduced the students to a few Chilean experiences. While in the town of Choshuenco we paddled the Rio Fuy for two days, and the Enco from one. The Enco was fantastic, great rapids with giant waves, deep channels and very few obsticals. We had a great time on the rollercoaster ride! We left that afternoon and drove to the Pucon area. We have a great campsite with a meeting ¨shack¨ that has an electrical outlet so that Katherine and Wilson can do their homework.

After a study session for Katherine and Wilson, and a hilarious group lesson on the first element of leadership (Character), we paddled for three hours. We worked a rapid on the Rio Licura (the students paddled the same rapid 5-6 times running different lines and working on their skills) and had a great time. The adventure this afternoon involves finding the correct adapter piece for our stove so that we can have french toast tomorrow morning. Yummm!

- Kristin

The story of my kayak

Ok.. it all began when we picked a Kayak from Valdivia. It looked good (I didn’t know that it would be so heavy to carry).

So, when I tried to putted on my shoulder, it was really heavy. Then I thougth “I have to carry this kayak 3 weeks, (oh noo)” . So everyday I have my own battle with the kayak. I am working on it. But it’s really heavy to carry. I have dropped the kayak many times.. and I had fall too. But and the end of the trip.. the battle will be again “Rosario v/s Kayak”.. and the winner will be Rosario! (I hope so).

Bye, escribo luego

Rosario Torrealba (Chilena a mucha honra!)

Rio Enco

Yesterday we paddled the Rio Enco. To start the day we paddled across the lake to the river inlet. It was a long paddle but it was worth it when we got to the river. On the river there were huge waves. The river was mostly class 2-3 rapids They were lots of fun to paddle through. At one point there was a cable car running across the river. Sean and Katherine rode on it. They use the cable car to get across the river because there is no bridge. At the take out there was a cloud of kalwachos (sp?) waiting to snack on us. Later that day we arrived at our campsite in Pucon.

- Wilson

My trip to the grocery store

This weekend we were running low on food so before we headed to our next campsite we stopped at the grocey store. We split up into two teams Rosario and Claudio were one team and Wilson, Sean, and I were the other. Rosario and Claudio had it easy because they could speak and read in Spanish. THe only Spanish speaking person on our team was Sean and we still had an hard time. We also had the bigger list so by the time Rosario and Claudio were done we were still on the third item. We decided to split up. Sean got the turkey and cheese, Wilson got the bread, and I was in charge of finding the milk. I wondered around the store for a little while on my search for the milk. Here they have many different kinds and brands. I tried to remember the cover of the milk we had used before but that was useless. Then one of the Chilean store workers came up to me and started speaking in Spanish. I immediately froze. I was trying to remember the few Spanish words I knew but none were coming to me. I couldn´t even remember how to say hola! All that came out of my mouth was “I don´t speak Spanish.” I than ran off in search of milkagain. Towards the end of that isle I finally found the milk but it was still in the boxes. Not knowing I stuck my hand in the box and retrieved the milk. The same Chilean came up to me and said another thing in Spanish. He then pointed to the milk on the shelf. Right then Sean came up he helped alot because I wasn´t sure of what kind he wanted. We grabbed the right milk, found Wilson, then decided that it would be best if we found the rest of the list as a team!

Katherine

Kayak Lessons

It all began on Thursday 24′, I knew it that was going to be a new experience for me, because I don’t know how to kayak.

Yesterday, was my first lesson in a kayak. It’s really fun, but when you know how to do it. So it that’s reason that you have to practice.

I’m learning a little bit at a time, but I’m think that when trip ends I’m going to be better than now.

This is all an adventure for me. So I think that I’m going to have a great time on here.

The trip it doesn’t ends jet… so.. The story will continue…

Rosario Torrealba (chilena a mucha honra)

Bacan! (AWESOME)

HOLA AMIGOS,

Today we went down a river called Rio Fuy. It was bacan which means awesome in Spanish. I did a combat role which is a role in thrashing water. It was soooo bacan.

All of the food here is rico (delicious) they have tons of fresh fruits and all kinds of different cookies. And here is the best part they have all of are kinds of cookies and candies plus all of the Chilean sweets. But get this one thing of cookies is 300 pesos!!!! Can you believe that? When I first saw the price I started flipping out but then I realized that it was really just 75 cents. The money here is way different. Our dollar is like 500 pesos here. I hope everthing is good there. We are all fine here and everything is bacan. Talk to you later!!

Love, Katherine

Fun day at Rio Fuy

Today we practiced on a rapid at the Rio Fuy. The rapid is called Bridge Rapid. We worked mostly on our turns and peel-outs. The local Chileans do not usually see kayakers, so a few stopped to watch and take pictures. The water was very cold. After we finished we walked to the top of the rapid and swam down. We went down twice. So far this was the most fun part of my trip.

-Wilson Sharp

The first few days of "Rivers of Chile"

Finally, everyone is together and we are beginning our expedition in Chile. On Thursday, Kristin, Wilson, & Katherine arrived from the United States. I waited for them at the airport, and saw their kayaks making a lap on the baggage claim belt before I saw them. We loaded up, drove to Curico, where we picked up our Chilean student, Rosario. Fortunately, we were able to enjoy a quick dip in her pool before beginning our heinous drive south.

That first day, we drove about 3.5 hours, finally camping outside of a tourist attraction known as the “Salto de Laja,” a large waterfall very close to the main highway. The next day, we drove 4 more hours, to Valdivia, where we picked up Claudio, our Chilean instructor, and two of the kayaks we rented. From there, it was two more hours into the mountains, to the small town of Choshuenco. We are staying right on Lago Pangipulli, and the drive here can be compared to the kids arriving at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. It truly is magical.

We are working these first few days to build everyone’s skill level. We have the lake and the Rio Fuy right here, and it is pretty much a paddler’s paradise. Plus, last night we had our first “asado” (barbeque) and got to sleep in this morning. Off to a great start…

Sean