Lost in the Andes

Alive and Well

We are alive and well.  After floating in a vacation mentality haze for a while we have settled into the routine of real life, complete with responsibilities.  The whole mother-in-law thing is exactly the way it is portrayed in jokes and movies and is not the best part of life south of the equator but with a large enough house and around the clock care we make the best of it.  And what’s up with that whole economy crash thing up there?  I leave for two years and you guys can’t hold it together? 

Now on a lighter note;  we have added four things to our household which have completed the transition from a couple of kids on a wild goose chase to young adults that still don’t know what they want to be when they grow up but begin adding creature comforts as they realize that this is a long haul.

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News Flash

We are still keeping our eyes open for property for a vineyard but after a lot of time analyzing the business I have decided to buy my grapes and begin making wine.  I am very excited and will begin a blog just on winemaking in the next week or so for all my "wino" friends.

This 80 year old vine will soon make its contribution to my wine.

Hasta Luego, Amigos

What's New 

1) We have decided  as Norte Americanos to do our part in leaving a carbon footprint.  We now have a car and are enjoying exploring our surroundings that lay outside of walking distance but deemed not important enough for hiring a car or using the bus.  After a year and a half with no car I now understand the pleasure of a “Sunday Drive”.

2) We have also bought a TV and, along with the magic of a Satelite Dish, can escape the Spanish speaking world for a couple of hours with the likes of Forest Gump and Jane Austin speaking in English.

3) Andes is a mixed breed puppy that followed me home from the bus stop about a year ago and decided to stay on and work in the security department of the Addington compound.  He has grown into a handsome dog, strong as an ox, with a mean bark but sweet disposition.  He gets room and board and scraps from the many asados (barbecues) we have.  He says it’s a good deal compared to the bugs and worms he ate for several days after being dumped by the side of the road at the age of 8 weeks.

4) Last is Capitan, a golden kitty charged with making Mom’s life comfortable and keeping her entertained.  As he has grown, the relationship that started through the window with Andes, has turned into rough and tumble playtime for him as he ventured outside.  It seems Andes thinks Capitan is a puppy and plays without the mercy that one usually affords a kitten.  The only advantage the cat has at this point is Andes is an outside dog and respects the threshold that has become the cat’s refuge.