We stopped many times along the walk so that Rodrigo could show us some plant or flower that was growing near the tracks. The plant below looks like a cute little flower (below), but people use it to make Opium... yeah not so cute anymore. It's illegal in Chile, but these little guys are all around so people do it anyway.
(Below) This is some random plant that Rodrigo pulled off the side of the track. He started peeling it and proceeded to eat the stem. He gave us some and it was actually really refreshing. It tasted like mint, but it was different. Hard to put to words, but it was cool how much he knew about the wildlife around him. He's grown up here his whole life, and all the people here know this kind of stuff.
(Below) This is a pod that Rodrigo picked off of a tree. He says that when it gets really dry, people come out and pick them and take them to the schools so that kids can shake them and use them in music class. My roommate kept one and is going to let it dry out!
No idea what this is, but that spiney head of the plant was huge. Probably 3/4 my height. It was on top of the hill as we were walking. I don't really remember what Rodrigo told me about it.
We arrived at a tunnel (above) that was constructed a little over 100 years ago. It goes through a very large hill, and it was very dangerous to build. Apparently around 300 people died making this tunnel. It serves to connect the railroad between Santiago and San Pedro. San Pedro produces a lot of Chile's produce, so they really needed this connection. It's sad how many lives it took to make this though :(
There were little pockets built inside the tunnel just in case you happened to be in there when a train was coming. The tunnel was pretty much raining on us because the underground water leaked through the roof of the tunnel. Just imagine seeing and hearing a tunnel full of American girls, and it starts "raining" on us in the dark tunnel (it's very hard to see in there).
Needless to say, Rodrigo found it entertaining!
Those vines you see growing over the "patio" roof are grape vines. This woman's husband uses the grapes to make Chicha, which I will explain below.
We were very lucky because this man is the only man in the area that makes Chicha. It's basically grape juice (from his homegrown grapes) that's boiled and fermented. If you have ever drank Kambucha tea, then you would like Chicha. It smelled and tasted kind of similar to Kambucha. I loved Chicha! It was a huge treat because this man doesn't sell his Chicha, it's just for his family. We were privileged to get to have some of his, because according to Rodrigo, this is the best Chicha in Chile.
He also had a huge greenhouse that was filled with tomatoes! It was amazing!
And he had a goat :)
He gave us a bottle of Chicha to go!
After the farm, we went to a little local party that was taking place. We got to eat all the typical foods of Chile. Below is "Mate con Huesillos". It's peaches, with juice, and this grain called Mate. You eat it with a spoon. I really like it, but it is unlike anything I have seen in the States.
We ate empanadas of course! That is THE typical food of Chile.
There were people dancing the traditional Chilean dance called "Cueca". The girls wear beautiful dresses, and the men dress in the typical "Huaso" clothes. A huaso is a chilean cowboy basically. Pretty much every Chilean knows how to dance Cueca and nearly all of them genuinely enjoy it.
It was a great excursion that was all about culture. I loved it!
Hope all is well in the States, pray for peace in Syria. God Bless!
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