I had arrived at my destination in ConCon, Chile! Taking in my view overlooking the Pacific Ocean upon arrival, I thought “jaw dropping” would be an apt way of putting it! Hippocampus Vina del Mar would be my home base. Having gotten very little sleep on the flight the night before, I was beat, and the thought of a siesta was too tantalizing. I was determined to be in good order when my childhood friend (Lana Svien), here for 25 days on a Fulbright Scholarship, arrived back from the University in a couple hours’ time.
Up and ready to go again about 3 p.m., Lana and I wandered to a neighborhood restaurant called Pica Higuerillas, where we had fun with our waiter, Patricio, who speaks no English but obvious had a bit of fun in him. I don’t know if you read my post about the onion, but I had to find an onion, which I didn’t find in L.A for the flight. Patricio produced what he knows as a cebollo. He thought I wanted to eat it “as is” but we convinced him to bring it in a salad – so he produced beautiful tomatoes topped with a chopped cebollo. Maravilloso!
Patricio was good fun. There is something really wonderful to me about connecting with people from all over the planet and still being able to share humor. He was showing talent in this department!
Lana and I, living in different parts of the U.S., meet up once or twice a year for short periods of time but to have two weeks together in a country and culture new to me was going to be pretty unique and special. Here we were at Pica Higuerillas enjoying my first Chilean meal. And was it good! We had fish – reinata and salmon – which we shared. They have the best rolls with salsa or butter to complement them. Before I leave, I hope to get that recipe. I’ll do DISHES to get that recipe!
Days later now, we have gone back to Pica Higuerillas a few times since because the people are so welcoming. The food is excellent and they are equipped with WiFi so I have found it be a comfortable place to go and plug in as well as unwind — it’s fun listening to others speak in Spanish while I remain fairly clueless. (I’ll work on that!) One day I went to just get a Coke and use the Internet. They would NOT accept payment from me for use of the Internet or the Coke. They won me over and I had to gather the fellows working that day to capture their proud Chilean smiles. I told them they would be famous because I am going to write about them for A News Café. They LOVED the idea!
Lana and I have found some other businesses we like in this same neighborhood. One is Gabycam, a family run mini-market where we stop in to get coffee, chocolate, bottled water, etc. They clearly enjoy “the blond Americans” and they are well aware I am the one who does not speak Spanish. There is an excellent fish market, also family run. They were proud of their mussels, topped with lemon (which seems customary on all fish here) and wanted us to try. Oh, mi calidad! It was heavenly!
And the fresh vegetable and fruit stand is where we pick up avocados, bananas, carrots, plums, apricots and more. Chile, especially Region 5 where we are, is known for its produce. I now know why. It is splendid.
I love being here and look forward each day to new adventures and new people. While I wish I knew Spanish, I am making it. I’m off to the beach today on my own where there are artisans. I have pesos in hand as well as my simple little Spanish/English dictionary. Let’s see how this goes…
Click here to read more in Mary’s Journey to Chile series.
Mary Lascelles, a k a ReloMary, is a Palo Cedro, Calif., resident who owns a concierge relocation service, movinglinks4you.com, operating across the United States and Canada to assist people with every aspect of their selling, buying and moving needs. She can be reached at 530.515.6299.
