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2013-03-09 22:06:38 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

An International Adventure in Chile

Excited about the new Discipleship Training School that Miguel and Yasna just announced from the ranch in Iquique. If you know a young adult looking for an International adventure with God, have them check this out. Scholarships available! 

2013-03-01 18:47:31 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 20 +1s)

Summer is Ending in Northern Chile

"There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!"  ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Image by Tola_ taken at Iquique, Chile. 

2012-11-16 01:59:16 (4 comments, 7 reshares, 22 +1s)

“No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied - it speaks in silence to the very core of your being”
----Ansel Adams

Image of Torres del Paine in Southern Chile's Patagonia by Twiga269.

2012-10-18 12:40:35 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 11 +1s)

"“Joy is the feeling of grinning inside.”
Melba Colgrove

Image by Tutuwan taken in Antofagasta, Chile

2012-09-30 17:21:44 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Your Spanish Lesson of the Day - "Placido"

"Placido"- placid, as in calm.

"I think I could turn and live with animals,
they're so placid and self-contained,
I stand and look at them and long."

Image by Insanebones of Cavancha Peninsula in Northern Chile

2012-09-28 12:26:55 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 14 +1s)

“Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.”
― Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

Image by Wili Hybrid taken in the Chilean Antarctic.

2012-09-22 13:36:32 (0 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

Estrellas Sobre Chile
"Cuando veo tus cielos, obra de tus dedos,
la luna y las estrellas que tú formaste,
digo: ¿Qué es el hombre para que tengas de él memoria,
y el hijo del hombre para que lo visites?" Salmos 8

Image by ESO, the European Southern Observatory, which operates a suite of the world's most advanced ground-based astronomical telescopes in the Atacama desert just North of Iquique. 

2012-09-18 02:03:45 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

"The Courtship Dance of Chile"

Today is Independence Day in Chile, and everywhere Chilenos will be dancing the "Cueca" - a lengthy complicated dance that tells the story of a rooster trying to win the attention of a hen. Well, you get the idea. 

Image by Vitoco.

2012-09-13 02:28:31 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

"Y una a una las noches entre nuestras ciudades separadas se agregan a la noche que nos une." Pablo Naphtali Neruda

¡Buenas noches amigos!

Imagen por Lisa Mallon en La Huayca, Chile

2012-09-05 21:41:36 (2 comments, 5 reshares, 6 +1s)

"Originality is nothing but judicious imitation. The most original writers borrowed one from another." Voltaire
Back by popular demand - Active Authors and Writers on Google Plus.

2012-08-30 00:13:47 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Why I Love the Chileno Horse

2012-08-23 01:50:56 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 18 +1s)

"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.”
Anais Nin

Northern Chile is known worldwide for its amazing Paragliding, due to the combination of both thermal and shore lift. Plus this dream training location called Palo Buque that Philip Maltry set up for practicing. The best part? You can crash and fall gently into this soft powdered sand and break nothing but your ego! 

Image by IquqiueParapente.com 

2012-08-21 21:48:54 (0 comments, 5 reshares, 15 +1s)

"All architecture is great architecture after sunset; perhaps architecture is really a nocturnal art, like the art of fireworks."
Gilbert Chesterton

Image of the hotels on the peninsula of Cavancha Beach in Northern Chile by Vitoito

2012-08-19 23:04:30 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 15 +1s)

*"“And I, infinitesima­l being,
drunk with the great starry
void,
likeness, image of
mystery,
I felt myself a pure part
of the abyss,
I wheeled with the stars,
my heart broke loose on the wind.”*
Pablo Neruda

Image of Torres del Paine by Alvaro Garcia

2012-08-09 14:28:44 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

"Colors are the smiles of nature."
Leigh Hunt

If you are tired of boring black and white, take a trip to El Alto, Bolivia, where locals dress not only for the weather, but also for themselves. 

Image by Cesar Angel Zaragoza. 

2012-07-24 18:05:24 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 9 +1s)

Writer's Block

I can't think of a quote or even a funny line to go with this picture. Can you help? 

Image of hand sculpture taken on Playa Brava, Uruguay by Jose Ignacio. 

2012-07-20 18:42:41 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

"I think it makes God mad if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."
Alice Walker

My #FloralFriday contribution taken in the Atacama Desert of Chile by JavierPsilocybin. No idea what this flower is called, but I like it. 

2012-07-18 22:07:19 (6 comments, 2 reshares, 9 +1s)

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
― Victor Borge

Parades or "desfiles" are ubiquitous in Chile, but rarely do the participants break out of their seriousness when marching. In this image by Annais taken in the Bio Bio region of Chile, the joke was obviously contagious. 

Yes, the bright colors and hats are normal. 

2012-07-13 22:48:14 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

How Do You Say "Cool!" in Spanish?

Circle these Spanish speakers and you'll not only expand your horizons, you'll pick up some nuances of the language that books can't teach you. Many of these folks understand English too. Enjoy! 

2012-07-13 22:43:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

"Are the days of winter sunshine just as sad for you, too? When it is misty, in the evenings, and I am out walking by myself, it seems to me that the rain is falling through my heart and causing it to crumble into ruins”
― Gustave Flaubert

It is the height of Winter in Northern Chile, and the lifeguard stands are empty. Image by Tola_ taken in Iquique, at Playa Brava. 

2012-07-05 20:16:16 (4 comments, 12 reshares, 22 +1s)

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”
― Audrey Hepburn

Image taken in the Chilean Altiplano by Szeke

2012-06-26 21:23:10 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 7 +1s)

"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky." ~Amelia Earhart

Hats off to all the aviators joining the firefighters in battling Colorado's worst fires in history. 

Image by US National Guard taken near Ft. Collins, Colorado. 

2012-06-23 02:29:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 11 +1s)

Praying for Rain in Northern Colorado

The fire known as High Park is really right next to Ft. Collins, Colorado - a thriving College town that is also known as one of the best places to live in the USA (according to Forbes and US News). Now the worst fire in Colorado history, it is raging again after 2 weeks due to horribly dry weather and winds. Pray for the 2000 firefighters, and for rain! 

Image of a retardant dump over the fire by Reuters. 

2012-06-17 01:36:32 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 1 +1s)

"I Always Wanted to Write"

Circle these Active Authors and Writers and strike up a conversation. Most will engage you if you engage them, and along the way by watching what and how they post, you may learn something too. 

2012-06-17 01:33:28 (1 comments, 5 reshares, 9 +1s)

"Great Flying Weather"

It's Winter in Northern Chile so no one goes to the beach to swim. But we do jump off the mountain above Iquique for a great ride to the beach. The combination of desert thermals and ocean-driven ridge lift make this one of the top pargliding locations in the world.

Image taken by Magnusvk over the Cerro Dragon in Iquique, Chile

2012-06-15 01:22:49 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure , the process is its own reward."
-Amelia Earhart

Image taken in Valparaiso, Chile by Joseph Ferris III. 

2012-06-14 17:49:10 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

"Same Sky, Different Continent"

Saw this shot stream by and thought for sure it was taken in the Atacama Desert, in Northern Chile. Turns out it was taken in Northern Colorado, in the USA, looking to the West Rockies and the horrific Larimer fire they are fighting right now. 

Image by James Bo Insogna

2012-06-07 22:41:59 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Too Much Color!

No, it's not Andy Warhol day in South America. Our local newspaper in Northern Chile, the "Estrella de Iquique" just converted from B&W to full color. Local graphic artists are going nuts with the colors, even in classified ads. What do you think, a little too much? Reminds me of 1967 in the Haight.

2012-06-04 03:13:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

"The pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That's the deal."
- Clive Staples Lewis

Image taken by Evangelisa in the desert of Atacama in Northern Chile. 

2012-05-30 13:57:51 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

"Don't be afraid to go out on a limb. It's where all the fruit is."
-Shirley Maclaine

Image taken by Kmilo in Pica, Chile - the tourist town in the high desert. This is the entranceway to the mineral baths and the artificial fruit signifies the abundance of crops that so easily grow there.

Reminds me of something out of Walt Disney's playbook, no?

2012-05-29 20:33:18 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

"Nothing Like a Winter Chilean Sunset!"

It's still the heart of Winter in Northern Chile, so the beaches are pretty empty. But starting at around 4:30PM each day, everyone near the beach looks Westward, for the reward of a sunset like this.

Image by Kony V. at Playa Cavancha, Iquique, Chile.

2012-05-27 22:28:59 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" ~Maya Angelou

So admired is the Carabinero force that in Chile when you see this uniform, you don't think "Oh, it's a woman," nor "Oh it's a man." The first thing you think is "Uh oh, here comes authority!"

Image taken by RadioCarillon in Santiago of Carabineras in parade formation.

2012-05-22 18:53:28 (1 comments, 4 reshares, 5 +1s)

“If you refuse to be made straight when you are green, you will not be made straight when you are dry” African Proverb

Image by Szeke taken in the world's driest desert, the Atacama in Chile and Boliva

2012-05-22 01:46:04 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

How I Felt Today - Like the Heavens are Brass.

Image by John Steven Fernandez

2012-05-17 21:12:51 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection."
-Freud

Image taken by Francisco_Osorio on the awesome Santiago Metro.

2012-05-15 23:21:07 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 11 +1s)

“We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

Image taken by Mrpunto near Temuco, Chile.

2012-05-12 23:04:11 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Expand Your Horizons - Check out my "International and Interesting" Circle!

Bored with the same old posts now that we are almost a year into Google Plus? You'll never yawn reading these very interesting folks from around the world. No, you won't need to speak a second language to appreciate them. You might even find a few new friends from across the pond, down under, or over there.

2012-05-08 19:46:29 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 17 +1s)

"Color possesses me."
-Paul Klee

Image by Jorge Loor Bowen taken near Colima, Chile

2012-05-07 14:48:16 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

"Women are aristocrats, and it is always the mother who makes us feel that we belong to the better sort"
– John Lancaster Spalding

Image taken in Cochabamba, Bolivia by rawEarth.

2012-05-06 02:16:48 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 10 +1s)

"The reinvention of daily life means marching off the edge of our maps."
Bob Black

I have no idea what these creatures are called in English, but I'm told they are sort of a cross between a llama and an alpaca. But they seem to always march in packs.

Image of Guanacos en Torres del Paine in Southern Chile by delamaza.

2012-05-01 23:37:34 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

A Truly Independent, Self-Actualized Woman

I have so many Bolivian friends I feel at liberty to make a tiny generalization - Bolivian women in general have CLASS! Regardless of circumstances, even sitting on a rock, they are regal in dress and disposition.

Image taken in Cochabamba, Bolivia by Lon&Queda.

2012-04-30 21:03:49 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

"It's hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse."
Adlai E. Stevenson

Image by the Army of Chile.

2012-04-30 15:10:41 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises."
--Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Spanish Poet and Playwright, 1600-1681

In honor of my daughter who loves green!

Image taken by the great photographer Tali Shaw in Hawaii this past week.

2012-04-28 23:24:42 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

"Darkness is only driven out by the light, not more darkness."
Martin Luther King Jr.

The Port and tourist town of Iquique, was the fastest growing city in Chile the past decade, which explains why the electrical grids often can't keep up with the demand. Blackouts happen here still, about twice a month.

But they sure make for great sunsets!
Buenas noches amigos.

Image by Dago_O.

2012-04-19 14:45:41 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

"Wearing a hat is like having a baby or a puppy; everyone stops to coo and talk about it."
-Louise Green

At over 10,000 ft altitude, local women in La Paz, Bolivia have no trouble selling hats.

Image by Victor Zaragoza

2012-04-18 19:34:22 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

*"A 50-cent Cup of Coffee in Chile*"

Granted, it's not Colombian Roast, or as fun as a Starbucks, but most "Cafeterias" in Chile serve a decent cup of Joe for the equivalent of a half dollar.

Image by Rei San.

2012-04-16 16:04:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees."
-Victor Hugo'

Image by Frank Boyd taken in Valparaiso, Chile.

2012-04-14 16:41:42 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

Huasito

In Argentina and Chile one of the words for "cowboy" is "el huaso." When you are only 3 years old you are a "little cowboy" -a "huasito." (Pronounced "wah-sito.")

Image by SuperSonico

2012-04-12 16:54:08 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Eye Candy from the Sea

2012-04-08 18:15:54 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

"I don't trust anyone who doesn't laugh."
Maya Angelou

Image taken at a wedding in Santiago de Chile by Alexander Dagnino J.