Saturday, September 28, 2013

Leaving Santiago

Four days ago I left Santiago and hitch hiked south with the intention of getting to Panguipulli. 5 rides and 10 hours later, I made it to Chillan, half way. I decided take the next bus to Panguipulli, which was at 4am. Having to wait in a small cold waiting room, with a grotesque horror movie playing twice in a row, I was relived to get on the bus and sleep on a reclined surface.
Some time later I arrived in picturesque Panguipulli. This town over looks a lake, is surrounded by forest and mountains, and has snow capped mountains in view too. I was intoxicated with the crisp air. The people are friendly.


I met my host Carla, and then headed over to eat a cheese sandwich by the lake. I spotted a green open field on the other side of the lake and proceeded to walk along the shore to frolic in it. Sometime later, however, I encountered a number of obstacles, namely, boggy wet land, threatened sqwaking birds, and hidden houses with smoking coming from the chimneys along the path. I decided to turn back.


Sometime later, I met up with Carla and husband German. Lovely people with a house some ways out of town. They've a quaint wooden house, with a yoga room, and a view that overlooks the lake. It's so peaceful out here. I made a spicy tomato pasta for them and talked dharma over dinner.
The next day I walked down to another part of the lake and read up a bit on the practice of Lojong. The view was spectacular, for a moment I imagined there was nothing left to desire.


Later that day I was excited to go to someone's house to buy their chicken's eggs and another farmer's house to buy cheese. These simple acts brought such pleasure. Why have I spent so much of my life in big cities? Oh and I also saw a cow give birth.

Today Carla took me on a group trek to a glacier. The hike, glacier, and company were all lovely.