GRACIAS A LA VIDA
As it happens, we just might be AirBnb idiot savants… You see, we so rarely plan our destinations more than a few days in advance (I can hear most of my friends’ heads exploding from here, they’re conscientious planners you see) hence we often end up in whatever accommodation is left and some of the time, we do find our beds to be filthy, cold and in the wrong part of town, but sometimes, sometimes… we end up at places like the well-named Gracias A La Vida lodge…
That was our view upon arrival, at sunset no less. We are lucky so-and-sos… This bungalow on a lake is owned and operated by a couple, art lovers and makers, whose sculptural work peppers the landscape. There is minimal sort of service, no food but with daily cleaning which suited our habits just right since we love to grocery shop and cook most places we visit to get a flavor for the local products.
Walking around the property was delightful, especially when it starts raining a bit and you return to this sight…
Sebastien, who had joined us again by the, was pleased…
If you ever visit Puerto Varas, I cannot recommend it more. Especially if your twelve year old happens to be turning thirteen here… That is what happened to Zoel, who took advantage of this beautiful setting to become a teenager. To celebrate, we offered him the key to a rare chest of goodies, the key to culture heretofore beyond his reach,the key that unlocks the door to stories he did not know existed… Such as Jon Snow, the gift that keeps on giving, and all five volumes of A Song Of Ice and Fire, something my history-thirsty boy and his imagined alternative histories of the world will delight in. I can’t wait for the questions about Cersei…
We took him to ride a horse, a plan which Sebastien was perplexed by…
and finally to a man’s lunch, where we treated him to, what else on your thirtieth birthday, but bull’s testicles, our way to help him down his list of strange meats that he has crafted for himself on this trip.
Happy birthday my boy, we love you so much!
ღ