Huincacara Convention

This is the convention in Huincacara. It is really close to a volcano and is a very tranquil place. So fun to meet all the friends here in Chile! We had very special days and even got to see  a few Californians :)

Volcano Villarica, the convention grounds are just under this volcano. So many beautiful views! It is quite active and many days we saw smoke coming out of the top!

This is Mate, it is a very popular/social drink here in Chile. It is basically herb tea with the actual herbs and a straw with a filter at the bottom. People carry around these adorable cups and straws with their thermos of hot water and if anyone is standing in a group with their Mate, then they pass it around and everyone takes a drink. Really a cultural thing and was fun to learn about. Doesn't taste too bad either!

A couple from Santiago

A sweet lady from Puerto Montt, just lost her home due to a fire but is now rebuilding. Really wanted us to come stay with her but we didn't make it to Puerto Montt :(

A couple from Spain who know the Renteria's and McColls

Dish washing crew!

Sweet family from Argentina

A couple nearly our exact age who live in Argentina

Mr. Chistoso, haha this is David, he kept us laughing during convention. He is a Mate fan if you can't tell. 

Rhonda Steidolf from Wyoming/Colorado, knows Landon's parents

Young couple who live in Santiago. Ivan was in Ecuador when we were there a few years ago so it was a big surprise to see him and so fun to visit with someone we knew. So sweet to see his new family. Baby was only 2 months old!

Very nice family from Argentina

Max Bowman was also in Ecuador when we were there so it was fun to see him again and spend some time together!

Super special to be with Erna again. She was with us in Central America for convention. She fell and broke her arm in Panama so it was good to see her again and see she's doing much better!

All the workers leaving for the bus terminal to Argentina. Mendoza conventions start next week. So sad to see them all leave and all the love everyone has saying good-bye.

The family of the home offered 2 lambs for lunch so here is the lambs roasting, fresh from the farm!

More Mate

Daniella & Franco a couple who are dating. She made her choice 2 weeks ago. So fun to be with them!

Couples shot!

On our way out of town with Heral & Anna, we dropped Susan Weichart off at the bus station.

Parque Conguillo, Chile

After our weekend in Concepcion, we met up with another couple who are from the North of Chile and traveled with them for a week and a half! They were a very fun and outgoing couple. It was so nice because it's hard to get to some of the parks without a car because there are few buses until high season comes in January. 

This park was really the one that made it feel like we were really in Chile! The snow topped mountains and volcanoes with the beautiful lakes was absolutely breathtaking!

Heral, Anna, & Heral Jr. (5)

These are called monkey puzzle trees. They are very sharp!

Breahtaking view of the valley and Volcano

This is Chile's national flower

Casa de Piedras

Princess Waterfall

Volcano Llaima

Found a geocache! We are hooked, so much fun! Little Heral liked finding the 'treasure'

My handsome husband - not a day goes by that we don't say, can you believe we are in South America? Finally travelling our dream!!

<3

Some of the clearest water we have ever seen! Amazing!

This was a Christmas celebration by the local indigenous people. They had a sepulchre set up and were dancing around it with feathers on their heads and painted feet. We went and watched but were not allowed to take pictures :( It was a super fun experience!