Santiago, Chile

Alison's 12 days are up in Santiago and it's time to head back to Oregon for a couple of days and then off to Ho Chi Minh City. Eduardo heads back on the 4th and stays on in Beaverton through the end of the year.

We found Santiago very changed from how we left it several years ago. Many new roads, shopping centers, neighborhoods, metro lines, restaurants, etc.

It's been a whirlwind trip with invitations everywhere, we haven't rested much here. Alison took advantage of the time to visit some sights she missed when she lived here -- such as La Moneda, the presidential palace that is now partially open to the public and La Chascona, Pablo Neruda's house here in Santiago (one of three in Chile). Eduardo spent much of his time catching up with friends and drinking pisco sours, piscolas and vino tinto.

Yesterday we had the fortune to take a flight around Santiago with Cristian Marentis in his Cessna 180. It was a beautiful day and I had the chance to practice my straight and level flying and some turns -- a little sketchy for me because I'm not used to flying next to so many hills.

Well, it's time to sign off as we're heading to the airport. More from Asia.....