Emphasis on 'Loose'

Less than a two days after making my debut post to this blog 'The Loose Itinerary', things have changed rather dramatically. I decided that if I'm flying into Chile (and especially if I have to pay a $100 entry fee to get into the country), I might as well shop around and see what the country has to offer. Also, I really want to spend a weekend livin' it up at the ocean. I am still going to stay at the same hostel when I arrive in Chile. Additionally, I will capitalize on the very inexpensive and rather high quality (so I hear) bus system, but I will head West instead of East.

I discovered a site that I have instantly fallen in love with and it is one that any budget traveller should know about: CouchSurfing.org You have to pay a minimal fee of $25 via credit card so they can verify your identity. They also send a postcard with a password to your address to verify the location of your coach. After that, you are apart of a massive global network of people sharing their coaches, experiences, languages, and cultures for FREE (by this time, you've forgotten about the $25 verification fee). The website uses a friend/vouching network (similar to FaceBook) so you can read about peoples past experiences with any host. Its somewhat hard being new to the site because you (I) don't have any that have vouched for you (me) yet. However, I have had quite the amount of luck. A young man by the name of Sebastian Soto has agreed to take me into his home in beautiful and sunny Vina del Mar and show me around for the weekend following my arrival in Chile.

(Vina del Mar, Chile)

After a weekend of 'life on da beach', it's time to get dirty. I joined Chile WWOOF and my first farm is located in the city of Olmue. Olmue is conveniently located between Vina del Mar and Santiago. They farm cuke-asaurus, melomate, avocados, many others crops. See the farms website HERE and read their official WWOOF blurb below:

There are two farms, one with organic avocados in Olmué city, and another 1000 has. farm in Colliguay, it has a lot of herbs, organic land and many other crops, those ones were in extinction process. Lodging is at a hostel in Olmue city with many bedrooms and bathrooms, it has capacity foreight people. Usually all people eat lunch togheter, normal chilean meals with a lot of vegetables andchilean fruits are eaten. We are American citizens but the people who will receive wwoofers will be chilean people. We love Nature. On the farm there are many pets, there is also an animal protection center. We only want to receive wwoofers who wish to have a strong communion with other people; they have to love animals and be available to help whenever is necessary. Arriving to Olmué city is possible by taking a bus from Santiago (Estación Central Bus Station) or from Viña del Mar. We need you to stay one month at least.

After filling that farms month long requirement, from there (for now at least), the itinerary goes forward as planned: a weekend in Mendoza (either at a hostel or couch surfing) for La Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia and then down to the farm in Tunuyan.

'The Pack'

Packing 4.5 months worth of your life into a backpack is a manageable challenge. Here's a list of the items the made the cut:

• Tent
• Sleeping Bag (thanks Mom for the much lighter, smaller, and, simply put, much better bag!)
• Camping Pillow
• Sleeping Pad
• Sox (10 pair?)
• Boxers (7)
• T-Shirts (7 short, 3 long)
• Pair of Jeans and pair of Carharts
• Fleece
• Winter Shell
• Heavy-duty Poncho
• Head Lamp (w/ 2 extra sets of batteries)
• Asthma Inhalers (8 in total! 4 rescue, 4 day-to-day)
• Camera (w/ charger, extra memory card, and extra battery)
• Cell Phone (for local calls and emergency use)
• Cell Phone SIM Card (otherwise the cellphone is useless)
• iPod (w/ headphones and USB charger)
• 2 Electrical Converters for Chile and Argentina
• First Aid Kit (the basics)
• Advil & Tylenol PM
• Anti-Diarrheal ('Nuff said, right?)
• PASSPORT
• Wallet
• Duct Tape
• Safety Pins
• Tooth Paste
• Tooth Brush
• Gold Bond
• Ear Plugs
• Water Filtration Pump
• Extra Pair of Shoes
• Small Bag
• Chile Guide Book
• Argentina Guide Book
• Spanish-English Dictionary
• Journal
• Two Books for Reading (The Honorary Consul and Hopscoth)
• Pens
• Sunglasses
• Rubik's Cube (Be prepared for anything)
• Travel Itineraries
• Chile and Argentina WWOOF Host Lists

As of right now, it's all just barely squeezing into my bag. Pretty heavy pack, but manageable. If you are hoping for a souvenir when I get back, don't get too excited!

The Loose Itinerary

(Santiago, Chile)

Its two weeks until I board a plane in Denver bound for Santiago, Chile (connecting in Toronto, ugh!). I have four nights reserved at the Plaza de Armas Hostel right in the heart of Santiago, Chile. I have absolutely no plans for my time in Chile. As it stands, I will probably stay for a couple nights before catching a bus over the Andes into Mendoza, Argentina.

The bus ride from Santiago, Chile to Mendoza, Argentina is suppose to be a beautiful ride. Barring any extended hold up at customs (wishful thinking, from what I've read), the ride takes 8 hours. While most bus companies provide very luxurious sleeper buses for typically just over $20, it is advisable to get a front row seat and travel during the day so as to not miss the amazing views (see above).

(General San Martin Park, Mendoza, Argentina)

Next, I will spend several days in Mendoza, Argentina. The city (and province also called Mendoza) is considered the wine capital of the country and the continent. After a couple days in Mendoza, I hop another bus down to the city of Tunuyan to head out to my first farm. Below is the preview of the first farm:

Type of property: Organic farm
Size (ha): 7
Cultivos: pear, apples, grapes, and medicinal herbs.
We speak: English, Spanish, Italian and Japanese
Description: Welcome to our volunteer program!
The farm is located about 15 kms from the turistic city of Tunuyan. All that the city has to offer is within easy reach, like the shopping area, supermarkets, hotels, hospital, etc. We are working in a project to create a holistic organic farm/retreat center with a program based on spirituality and respect for animals, nature and environment. The farm is located in seven hectares of beautiful land which are located near the Andes mountains in a rich soil area which is suitable for the growing of apples, pears, cherries, grapes, tomatoes and more. It has an old adobe house. We offer a splendid natural scenery to stay. Use of organic fruits and vegetables from the farm. Fresh mineral water. Simple accommodation. Free Buddhist teachings, meditation, yoga, natural cooking. Also in the area you can practice outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, biking. We are looking for people with knowledge/skills in organic farming, construction, permaculture, carpentry, ect...etc... as well as people who can put their whole hearts to this project. If you feel you have a contribution to this type of environment and to our project please send your CV.
Accomodation: basic accommodation in the old adobe house.
The land has lots of space for camping and you can bring your own tent as well.
Maximun number of people admited each time: 25 people
Food: Vegetarian meals. Meals are made and eaten in group. Light evening meals.
Volunteers are expected to follow some simple internal rules according to Buddhist values.
We are: Organic farm and retreat center which is part of the Tibetan Buddhist monastery project “La Joya del Sur” in Mendoza.
When to come: All year round-Starting November 2009
Additional comments: This project will support several social programs in order to benefit the local community.

I currently plan on staying at the above farm for 3 weeks. After talking to the owner of the second farm I am going to (and a simple read over of the description), the first farm seems to be quite idyllic. From what I gather its not much of an actual farm i.e. only one shovel on site. However, so long as they feed me two meals a day and give me a plot to set up my tent, I will be a happy camper (pun intended).

Next, I will shoot back north to the city of Mendoza to attend La Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia. It is the national wine harvest festival and carries on for two weeks culminating during the first weekend of March. After a weekend of song, dance, and wine, I will bus it back to Tunuyan to head out to the second farm. Below you can find the preview of the farm as posted on the WWOOF website or head to the farm's blog for more information and pictures.

Small farm started just 1 yr ago. Beautiful tranquil area near Andes, 1 hour south of Mendoza. Bordered by two other organic WWOOF farms and swimmer friendly ditches. Basic, clean accommodations, composting toilet, solar shower, functional kitchen. Looking for help with construction of a passive solar off the grid adobe house and large, organic garden with fruit trees. Requesting volunteers with experience and/or strong interest in natural construction and gardening. Also looking for someone that would mainly oversee meal prep and clean-up. Strong work ethic and positive mood REQUIRED. Beds limited, tents recommended. Please give minimum 2 weeks notice.

My stay at the second farm will include a lot of natural construction on top of gardening. The farm is run by a woman (Margot) and her daughter. They have hosted many WWOOFers in the past and I look forward to getting my hands dirty with them. Below are a couple of pictures from their farm.