Nov. 5th, 2009

The keyboard is a challenge. Hope you can read this. yesterday was another educational day. We took a bus to Valpariso, an oceanfront town. it was quaint and colorful. There certainly is alot of history here. We walked ALOT and took trolleys and lifts up hills. The lifts date back to the early 1900´s. pretty scary. The government workers are on strike so there are lots of demonstrations everywhere we go--especially in Santiago and Valpariso, the main government offices. The workers are asking for an 8% raise and the gov. is offering 2%. Teachers are part of the strikers. We are kept pretty busy, but the pace is slow. Rodger now thinks i walk pretty fast! There are 24 of us from all over the country. It{s pretty fun. There has been NO time to shop even. I DID buy a lapis necklace and matching earrings, so Lins will be proud I followed her advice. There are street dogs everywhere. They seem to be well cared for. They just follow folks around, or sleep in the sunshine. They aren{t mangy or mean at all. It was another picture perfect day today. In fact, the guides say they have never seen Valpariso so beautiful.

Tomorrow we are off to Patagonia where we will visit a horse ranch. I am really looking forward to seeing more countryside. I am ready for rain and cooler climate.

Love you guys
Phi