Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

This is the third year in a row now that I have been able to come home for Christmas.  Its been great to be here at home and spend time with my family.  We walk to the beach everyday and its just so beautiful.  Since there is no snow people get creative with sand.  Unfortunately I didn't bring my glasses to the beach on Christmas day, but I was able to get a photo of this great sandman.  Most people come home for the holidays, so I was able to meet up with a friend that I have known since I was five years old.  The last time I saw him was 3 years ago in Barcelona.  It was so wonderful to catch up with him and see his parents again.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

sandman

our whales wear santa hats

friends since we were 5!!!

USA

USA  7043

Fishing in Dana Point, California

The day after I arrived home it started to rain as soon as I wanted to go to the beach.  Then the next day it rained the whole day.  I had been looking forward to going to the beach since I got home and the weather wasn't on my side.  On one of the rainy nights my parents and I went to the harbor to check out the christmas lights.  They were nice, but they weren't as good as they were last year.
Every time I go home to visit I go fishing with my father.  Normally the waves aren't too bad when we go fishing, but today the water was VERY choppy and the fishing wasn't as good as it was this time last year.  Last year I was able to catch a very big yellow fin tuna.  Today, I only caught 2 fish.  A perch and my very first sheephead.  Unfortunately, the sheephead was too small and I had to throw it back in.  Since I wasn't feeling the best on the boat I didn't ask many people to wear my glasses.  But to those who did, thanks for participating!  Happy Holidays!!!

walkway at the harbor

star wars has taken over!!!

only in cali

home sweet home!

getting ready to leave the harbor

pelican

smooth here

very choppy waters

following the boat

blue skies after a day full of rain

USA

USA

USA

USA

USA   7040

USA

finally a nice sunset

no lifeguard on duty

after the sun went down

the clouds were awesome

bird of paradise on the side

lone palm tree

Bogota, Colombia

My flight from Santiago, Chile to Los Angeles, California was pretty darn cheap.  Especially for being a one way ticket.  However, since it was so cheap, I had a really LONG travel time.....42 hours!!!  I first flew to Lima, Peru where I had an 8 hour layover.  Then I flew to Bogota, Colombia where I had an 18 hour layover.  Luckily earlier this year I had already visited Bogota, so when I knew I had such a long layover I asked my friend if I could stay at her place.  She was very kind and said that I could.  I arrived to her apartment exhausted and she was on her way to her friend's birthday party.  I went to a supermarket to get some food and suddenly I heard a lot of loud bangs.  Then I looked through the window of the market and saw that there were fireworks.  The Christmas lights around the city were amazing as well!  The next morning these guys were still up celebrating a birthday with my friend.  They were hilarious and I wish I could've spent more time with them.  Thanks for everything!!!!!!  Until next time (which will be much more than just 18 hours) Colombia!!!

Colombia 

Colombia 7035

glasses, glasses

Star Wars in 4D Santiago, Chile

I really enjoy watching movies in 4D and since I was leaving Chile for good, I decided that I needed to watch one more movie in 4D.  The latest movie to be shown in 4D was Star Wars.  I have actually never seen a Star Wars movie before in my life, but of course I know who the main characters are.  I was able to get a couple of friends to come with me to watch the movie on the opening day.  The funny thing is that the opening day in Chile was a day before the opening day in the United States!  The movie was soooooo good!!!  Even without having a background in the movie franchise I was still able to enjoy the movie and follow the plot.  I would not say the same was when I watched the second part of the last movie of The Hunger Games.  I actually felt so confused during that movie because I didn't have a background or knowledge with the story.  In fact, I watched all the other movies in the series to understand what I watched.

Later in the evening I had a potluck dinner with some of my friends in order to say bye to them.  Then the next night I went over to my friend's hostel to play beer pong for the last time.  My last night in Santiago was definitely random, but its fine with me.  I would rather have a random night than a tear filled night.  Sorry to those of you I didn't get to say bye to.  I just am not a fan of good-byes.  See you around in another part of the world!  Gracias por todo!

in line to get into the theater  

you have a choice

such a great movie!

my last potluck dinner 

such good tart!

christmas tree with an orchid! 

street in santiago

Brazil   7025

Brazil

Australia 

Chile

Chile

Canada 7030

Germany 

Switzerland

Germany 7033

La Negrita (comida rapida colombiana)

I went to my friend's cafe to say bye to her.  I was able to try a delicious juice made from guanabana, which I drank very quickly.  Then I was able to try a hot dog with pineapple salsa.  It was delicious!!  Lots of great Colombian food!!  During lunch time she even has some chilean specials.  Highly recommended.  The address is Seminario 116.  It's open from 11am-12am.  Gracias por todo Alejandra!

different kinds of juices

the menu

delicious food

store front

Chile   7020

Chile

hot dog

with pineapple salsa!!!

Colombia

Colombia

Caesar salad

beef steak

lunch specials

Colombia  7024

Colombia (already pictured)

chicken dish

completo italiano 

arepa con queso 

one last photo