Adventures with Niko and Kaia: Waldorf

NIKO AUGUST 20th, 2012

Niko: 10th Birthday. Party at school. Skiing on an active volcano. Asado (Grill). Enough said!

Begins with a rainy walk to school in wintery August.....

Birthdays are always celebrated as they deserve to be celebrated at Waldorf Pucón!

Niko's teacher Leka

Yes, that mountain man is Derk in
winter fur

South American Asado, Chancho en Piedras, and Gramma style oven baked potatoes

.... and ends with a great day on the slopes of Volcán Villarica with Grampa and family.

KAIA DECEMBER 1st, 2012

Kaia turned 8 on a beautiful early summer day on December 1st. Our "winter baby" turned "summer baby" and enjoyed bowls of fresh strawberries and games on the beach. Presents from family in Sweden and U.S., Skype conversations with Grandparents, and a birthday party at school all made it an occasion to remember.

Cousin Maren has always known JUST what to get for Kaia!

And things don't get better than those boots from Aunt Heidi

Birthday snack times at school are always a treat with lots of singing, homemade goodies, and of course Tortaza - the ritual stuffing of the face of the birthday child into their own cake. Kaia was spared entirely; Niko given just a little nudge (see video below).

It's hard to find online, but rather than only singing the Spanish version of the typical English Happy Birthday song, our Waldorf community also sings this great birthday song which is supposedly Argentinian in origin. Here are the lyrics, and you can hear at least a little of the song in the video below.

Un año mas de lluvia viento y sol

hoy es tu cumpleaños los que te quieren estan con vos

The best part of June was spent getting to know our new area together with Auntie Heidi who celebrated her first week of her SUMMER vacation with us in rainy, wintery Araucania. Of the 10 days she spent with us, she at least had one sunny day - not counting a glimpse of the volcano on her arrival with the night bus from Santiago. No fears, her adventuresome spirit and enthusiasm (plus a little Chileno wine and dry firewood to heat the cabin) kept her visit fun for all of us.Thank goodness for skype and cheaper airline standby passes in the family to make the world feel a little smaller!

What it looks like under that red winter hat

One favorite hang out

Picnic near Argentine border. Look at Mountain Man's winter plumage!

Frost at Geometricas Hot Springs

Lago Caburgua, a gorgeous lake 20 min from Pucón, with views of Volcan Llaime in the background.

Tia Heidi with Volcan Lanin --- but admiring horse and helping keep track of niece and nephew across street

We don't know what exactly they are, but how can you not love these things? --

A hike to the main lodge at the local ski resort, Ski Pucón --

Felt like aprés ski even when the resort is closed down.

You pass by these shacks on the way to the ski resort. Someone comes running out from behind these places to the shack by the road which rents sleds, snow pants etc. We're thinking the family actually lives somewhere in there?

July meant summer, no, WINTER, vacation! We were fortunate enough to meet a lovely U.S./Australian family who needed a housesitter for their dog and cat.... Perfect coincidence, we needed a warm place to rent for the month! We had heard they had a gorgeous house, but didn't expect to spend quite as much time gazing at their stunning view... or using their canoe on the beach of Lago Villarica below their home. What a treat.

View from Heidi and Damien's living room

Who is happier? Kaia or their cat Rumble?

Most things pale in comparison to a sunny day on Lago Villarica!

A taste of first snow, which immediately melted down the slope, but left a beautiful blanket on the volcano when the clouds cleared.

Soft hearted gringos that we are... we picked up a stray pup in town who was limping pathetically. A quick visit to the vet and a shot of calcium in her hip left Orea (like the Oreo cookie) in fine shape. After another vet visit to get spade, the farmer up the hill was glad to have a new watch dog for his cows. One happy ending anyway!

Playdate and lots to share with good buddy Carolina

Buying a used car is nerve wracking even when you understand the language, culture and bureaucratic processes. Although we managed to figure it all out, we were still nervous on our way to test our stack of documents with the customs officials at the Argentine border. Conclusion: We passed!