Santiago - February 22-23, 2020
It is Washington's Birthday today. I remember celebrating this man of history, coloring clusters of cherries and cutting hatchets from construction paper in maybe 2nd or 3rd grade. I remember learning that little George said, "I cannot tell a lie."
Since then what in the world has happened?
Vacation day at last! No hard agenda! First things first, we took care of the week's laundry and tidying the apartment. It felt so good getting it done. It's amazing what accomplishment of good, regular, ordinary chores can do for the soul. We also enjoyed a couple of hours relaxing on the roof-top pool. We both listen to audio books. Listening to audio books in the sun and cooled with a gentle breeze can lull anyone to sleep. What chapter was I on??? The air was simply amazing. There are no words for the sensation on the skin of clean, clear, cool and dry breeze slicing through Chilean sun beams. To me it was very rare; very special.
Our apartment looks out over San Lucia Hill. It is a must-see in Santiago. It's not a mountain; it's just a big hill, 230 feet high. Still from street-level, it looks much taller. The walk up is almost vertical. We had to stop here and there to huff and puff. They say the hill is the result of an ancient volcano 15 million years ago. It was once sacred ground for the indigenous peoples here in the 1500's. It was used for strategic military purposes by the conquistadors as they were conquering Chile in about 1540. I has two forts or castles (palaces are for show of wealth and power, castles for defense) dating back to the 1500's for defense.
It's a city park today and it covers 16 acres in the heart of old town. It has two forts, one the north side and the other on the south. Then, per Wikipedia, in 1849 an American naval astronomical led expedition to Chile. An observatory was set up on Santa Lucía Hill. When the expedition ended in September 1852 the observatory and related equipment was sold to the Chilean government and formed the nucleus of the first National Astronomical Observatory which.by the way, operates in big fashion there still today.
We climbed atop the hill. It is beautiful and well-worth the exertion. Visiting the fountain at Neptune Terrace is worth the climb all by itself. But the panoramic view of the city is magnificent.
I am at the desk in our apartment at this moment and just to my right through the window I see the night- lighted glow of San Lucia Mountain!!! That's how near the hill is to us.
Today remnants of the forts still exist. Visiting the site is an important, popular destination for tourists and families alike who enjoy the green landscaped grounds for family gatherings, picnics and general beautiful picture-taking.
Date-night tonight!
Dinner was very nice. We simply walked around a few doors down our street. The operators of this restaurant have beckoned us to visit them ever since we arrived. The restaurant has a lovely outdoor seating area which always appeals to me and a warm inviting indoor area. These days, we simply must be in a spot with no fumar . . . so inside seating it is. We shared a scrumptious ensalade of greens, hearts of palm, red onion slivers and tomato and had an entre of roasted wild boar on zucchini, carrot and mushroom. Wow! Absolutely a perfect date night! --- I'm so thankful we still have them!!!
Sunday morning - February 23, 2020
Church! Yes, church, we went to an English speaking church in Santiago. We found this church online and while it is much easier to just let Sunday mornings pass . . . we felt the need to get back to routine. We felt the need to show our thanks for all our blessings. We have not been to a church service since we left our home on January 31. It was time.
Lutheran churches are here. Yes! But ones within miles of us have services only in Spanish and German. We cannot fool around; Stan and I near to hear the Word in English (for now) loud and clear. Santiago Community Church serves anyone, but particularly English-speaking people of Santiago. It was just a subway ride away and very near the Hard Rock we visited on Friday. ---- It astounds me how comfortable and grounded like a compass we have become.
Gosh, visiting this little church felt like home almost immediately. As we approached the door, hands reached out to greet us and welcome us. We all became introduced. We signed in and gave all our contact info. The service was beautiful and the liturgy was much like what we practice at home at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Marietta (love our church family there so much). On this Transfiguration Sunday, we heard the gospel and listened to the words, "Don't be afraid. I am with you until the end of the age." How enormously comforting! We also witnessed a baptism! Folks . . . wherever we may travel the monumental thing we learn is . . . we people all are one. We all are the same. Thanks be to God!
The knock-your-socks-off thing ---- the pastor of the church was originally from Strawberry, Arkansas! We could be related!! Yikes! It's a small world after all!!
School starts manana! Our backpacks with pencils, notebooks and snacks are packed. Oh, let this late-date, crazy educational ambition begin. Espanole!!!!! Ole!!