Some recent activities

Here is a quick post, primarily pictures,  to describe some of the recent activities that our group has been involved in. I hope you all enjoy this as much as we have been. Have a great night.

Us at the stadium after a game of soccer.

We all had to take this picture with the ball.

Jim showing his talnet for soccer!

Bob in fornt of the Rotary International Banner!!!

Another day in paradise!

The group at a vineyard
.

Boxes of grapes still in the field  waiting to be pcked up.

Sea lions playing in the sea. 

A view of the beach.

I wish the I could only explain the beauty of the country with words not just pictures. The only thing that I have to say is that the places and the people that I have meet ove rthe last two weeks are amazing! I think that I am finally understanding the meaning of the song - "Si Vas Pars Chile". Thank you to the Arauco Rotary group for sharing this song with my group. The memory of our visit with your club will stay with us forever.  

CHILLAN!

Monday 18April 2011

Beautiful cathedral/cross in Chillan

Jeff teaching his class!

Some of my new pilot buddies

Club Aero Chillan!

Beautiful day in the Thermal Pools outside of Chillan

Yesterday we attended the District Assembly meeting. It was great to catch up with some friends again and meet the amazing people we will spend time with over the next two weeks.

Today, we spent a relaxing and beautiful day hiking and soaking in the thermal pools in the mountainous area outside of Chillan.

Here are a few photos from our day. Too bad there wasn't any snow yet!

















Tomorrow we are meeting with the Mayor of Chillan, touring some sites in the city, and having a meeting/presentation with the 4 clubs in Chillan. I will be giving a presentation on my job as an environmental scientist to a college class, as well as having a "chat" with another group of science students at the university with my host mom. Excited to share some information with them!

April 17th, 2011

This morning we are to tour a Steel Mill. I think that this could be an interesting learning experience.

The tour was very interesting and the gentleman that we spoke to were great!

Now it is time to leave and go to Coelemu

April 16th, 2011

I am sorry about not uploading anything recently, but we have been so busy. In any case let me fill you in o our last few days. It has been very busy...

In the morning of the 12th we toured the we were back in Concepcion with the Rotary groups from Talcahuano. The first we did this mornibg was tour the Monitor Huascar. The ship was taken during the war of the Paficic between Chile and Peru. Here are some pictures of the group and the Huascar.

After the ship we went to tour an Oil refinery. Again an experience that I never thought I would be able to do. The person who gave went through all of the different processes in refining crude oil. It was informative going through all of the steps in the process to capture the most efficincies. After the presentation we went on a tour of the plant.

Finally that night we did our club presentation. Here are a few photos of the event.

Tomorrow morning we are going to tour CAP steel mill. It is the second larest mill in Chile. Ithink this quit the learning experience.

CHILLAN

Okay so last night we had an excellent dinner an Asado (Chilean BBQ) some pisco sours, piscolas and some marvelous vino tinto. We were treated with a typical Chilean dance (Cueca) by friends of friends. Great ending to a great day. (some of us however found a little night life in Coelemu) :) Woke up early to hop in a bus to drive to the rotary club district meeting. We gave a quick presentation and then headed to a local club to have lunch. Afterwards we hopped in yet another bus with the Chillan rotarians and made our way to the east. We stopped for a drink at the Chillan club before retiring with each of our respective host families. Buenos Noches!

COELEMU!

Got into Coelemu last night with the RC from Talcahuano. We were greeted by a warm family reception. Lots of food and laughter followed by a few drinks. :) In the morning we woke up and had a typical Chilean breakfast followed by a meeting with the Mayor's administrative assistant. (Mayor was ill). Afterwards we changed and headed to the vineyards. We ate some grapes, took a ton of pictures (this was our first sighting of the Andes), and watched how they run their farm. Afterwards we ate a wonderful lunch, two types of soup. One with meat and the other with beans and barley. After that we headed towards the beaches. WOW. See below pics.