Fall Colors

Last night we finally changed the clocks. It's obviously a negative when it comes to the shortening of the day and the fact that it got dark at about 6:00 this evening, but a huge plus for the morning because it's been pretty cold and dark and REALLY hard to get out of bed when it's still black outside until after 8am. 

I can't complain about the weather, with the exception of this past Friday and Saturday, it's been absolutely beautiful. Crisp and chilly in the morning and in the evening, but still sunny and reaching low 70's during the day. 

I love the combination of the fall colors against the palm trees and the tropical plants like the hibiscus that still have flowers on them. It sometimes takes a careful eye, but if you can manage to look past the layer of smog, Santiago really is a beautiful green city.

Happy Turkey Day

This will be the second year in a row that I've celebrated a "non-Thanksgiving-ey" Thanksgiving. Last year I went to my friend J's house and we ate delicious paella and grilled asparagus. (she's an excellent cook by the way...) This year I think the closest I'll get to Thanksgiving will be pumpkin pie, zucchini bread, mashed potatoes and wine. (all of those things put together make a meal, don't they?) It's difficult to find the all of the ingredients that you need around here, so you make the most of it and have whatever kind of gringo celebration that you can put together.

Friends have already chimed in to say that warm weather makes you less nostalgic for your typical holidays and it's absolutely true. The weather is a consistent 84 degrees now and I have to work a regular week so it's business as usual here in Chile. I find it strange to open the Amazon.com page and see the Black Friday specials advertised. I hate shopping on Black Friday, so all the more reason to be here enjoying the end of November. I do get a little nostalgic about silly things, like I miss going to Borders this time of year, just milling around sipping a coffee and looking at books in the evening after leaving the gym. It always seemed like a logical thing to do when it was suddenly dark outside at 4:30 pm and it always put me into the holiday spirit.

I wish everyone safe travels and hope that the weather cooperates with your journeys. Have a very safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving!