Rolling with the Punches

Buenas Tardes! My what a week it has been! I am still in Osorno, Chile. And while, yes, I really really like the ciudad. And, yes, I have very much enjoyed the hospitality and company of Claudio - my Blues-playing, English-teaching, mountain-climbing host and friend; the principle reason that I have remained here for so long is, unfortunately, a much less pleasant story.

I have actually been quite ill in the past week and spent more than a few days in bed without wandering outside to see the light of day. Before complete bed confinement became necessary, I did get to visit the nearby city of Río Bueno - an absolutely adorable pueblito where I spent a bright, sunny afternoon sitting in the beautifully manicured town plaza writing in my journal, people watching, and enjoying being the only tourist in this very off-the-beaten track town sitting on the pristine river Bueno. But by last Thursday after una visita a la clinica, a 2 am visit to the emergency room, medication, and other fun treatments, I found myself becoming one with the bed, so to speak. And in the midst of my minor medical emergency, I had a LOT of time to think. A LOT.

And in the midst of being frustrated with feeling less than delightful, I decided that if there could possibly be a "perfect-timing" for my illness, this had to be it. I had a safe, comfortable place to stay, a very caring and compassionate host, and no particular place I HAD to run off to until Joe gets here later tonight. So I let myself be. Accepted my lot in life for the moment and attempted to roll with the punches.

I started to get nervous because Joe and I planned on meeting in San Juan, Argentina on Thursday morning - a journey of nearly 2 days from where I currently am. I thought it would be nice to see a new area before taking a 2 week hiatus from traveling to fly home for my dad´s wedding on April 9th. Plus, San Juan is MUCH closer to Buenos Aires than where I am currently stationed meaning it would be far quicker and easier for Joe to bus it there. Well, the situation being what it was, it became clear that I would not be able to make it to San Juan in time. And THEN, Joe discovered the amazing concept of flying domestically within Argentina - brilliant! So now Joe is flying to Bariloche tomorrow morning after spending the night in Buenos Aires with a friend of a friend - gotta love the power of making connections with people! And I will be hopping on a bus in the morning to cross the border back into Argentina and meet him there. And then we will be off to explore Northern Patagonia, visit the family that hosted me in Junín, meet up with Claudio to do some exploring in Pucon, Chile, and who knows what else! And while I won´t be making it to San Juan, I am excited to show off this incredible area to Joe and think it will actually be so much better because he can meet my friends, drink maté with locals, and maybe even have an authentic Argentinian asado - woohoo!

And because I stuck around, Claudio and I were able to take a mini-aventura to the coast where I watched in awe as absoultely HUGE waves crashed into the cliffs and ate a freakin´ deliciosa seafood empanada - YUM! I also got to take a side trip yesterday to the city of Valdivia to meet my friends Ane (the "shiny" girl who I met in Chiloe) and Fito (my host in Llanquihue). I would have missed out on that opportunity had I stuck to my original "plan." So as I lie thinking in bed what good may come of an ill-chill situation, I feel I have found my answer. I am feeling much much better and looking forward to the adventures to come with Joe! And thanks again and again to Claudio for taking such good care of me! Hasta la proxima....VIVA!