Friday's Report

Another fabulous day. The Strellos are absolutely the PERFECTO hosts and have knocked themselves out to do everything for us to see Chile and know their family and culture.

Cristina has taken off from work for the entire time we are here to be with me and escort me wherever I want to go. She has also made some extraordinary arrangements for us. Yesterday she had a private "City Tour" arranged.

At 9:00 a.m. the tour guide, driver and interpreter came here to the hotel in a very comfortable small van to meet Cristina and me to take us on the tour. It was really wonderful! We got to see so much and with three people attending to our needs (really four people doting on me as Cristina is so very attentive) it was very "customized" as the interpreter said. I have never had so much attention - I really feel like visiting royalty!

The tour was great and really gave me a good look at several different "sectors" or "zonas" of the city. Commercial district, historical sites, University area, and we had plenty of opportunity to get out and walk, seeing the sights. I have pictures and post cards of the sights. We were standing nearby when the Vice President of Chile arrived at the government office building where the Executive Branch including President and First Lady have their offices and officially receive foreign visitors. That was impressive!

Children here are beautiful and they are all over the place on school outings. They are easily identified in their clumps of colorful school uniforms, notebooks in hand, chattering and active. Field trips are a very popular educational tool right now, according to our guide who was a chemistry teacher before his retirement into the tour business. Several times a week the children go on some sort of outing for their lessons.

The interpreter on our tour was actually a tour guide in training and he was a lovely young man. Speaks four languages and was formerly a cruise ship steward. He is making a career of the hospitality business and will be very successful, I am sure.

Chileans are incredible people. Naturally warm, polite and they love their country and want everyone to have a good experience here.

Today (Saturday) I am going to the art museum with Cristina and Dad is going to check on things at the hospital - just a quick visit there. I think his friend Lucas will take us this afternoon to a handcraft market. Tonight may be very exciting - Lucas is trying to arrange for us to go to a place that has authentic Chilean/Celtic music! It is quite complicated to explain but apparently the Irish have a strong history and influence in Chile and the Celtic culture has mixed in some interesting ways! If it works out we are hoping to take the Strellos along too.

Oh! One of the highlights so far - Jaime's oldest brother Mauricio joined us for dinner the other night. He is absolutely delightful (as you woul imagine, of course). His wife and son (remember nephew Andrew) are on a school trip in Brazil but will return in time for our family event on Sunday! All the Strellos together - I cannot wait to meet them all!!