We couldn't have been more fortuitous. We sit down at a somewhat trendy restaurant that served pizza for lunch today. Since between the two of us, we have a Spanish vocabulary that a 2-year old child could shame us with. So, we've been enjoying the Spanish Translate app on google.
The server happily speaks her two volumes of words in the google machine, and out comes the best translation ever. You see somehow we have "won" the special golden spoon and we have the option of paying $9.90. Certainly, how could I not partake in my golden spoon. So, with that my one word of true Spanish is spoken. Si.
There is nobody in the restaurant but us, and we sit there under the soft Summer sun just gazing. The weather could not be more delightful. Mid-70s, no humidity, and no bugs. At this point, we have our golden spoon prize in weather alone, even if the restaurant only ever delivers us a $9.90 bill.
The server happily speaks her two volumes of words in the google machine, and out comes the best translation ever. You see somehow we have "won" the special golden spoon and we have the option of paying $9.90. Certainly, how could I not partake in my golden spoon. So, with that my one word of true Spanish is spoken. Si.
There is nobody in the restaurant but us, and we sit there under the soft Summer sun just gazing. The weather could not be more delightful. Mid-70s, no humidity, and no bugs. At this point, we have our golden spoon prize in weather alone, even if the restaurant only ever delivers us a $9.90 bill.
Lunch on a veranda overlooking the main street Pucon
There is a reason that Pucon is rated so highly. Simple touches such as roses in the center divide...which are apparently watered by hand daily.
Pucon Main Street Roses, apparently watered by hand
The Fire House is just darling, and the police force is very visible. Walking the beat, riding bicycles, riding motos, driving trucks (with green flashing lights). We must have seen them at least ever other hour, but never were they engaging the population. Of course with all the stupid sh*t tourist outdoor activities (raft, trek, backpack, ski, snowboard, fishing, mountain bike) they probably have their rescue hands full. But the ring of fire is benevolent, and she also provides you thermal springs to wash your bruises away. There must be at least 15 thermal springs within an hour's drive of Pucon. The equipment being sold/rented is high end stuff no junk here.
We have forgotten some oddball stuff on our packout, so we poke around the shops some. Pucon is adorable. A bit of Swiss Ski Chalet feeling with the wooden/log construction. And surrounded by beautiful mountains on all sides.
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I spot this well fed herbivore. He is hauling a load of raw lumber. Bruce doesn't know why I am so excited to see a horse, it is not like I don't normally pet one every.single.day of the my life when at home.
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A few block away there is a street performer with a trumpet. All of sudden Bruce starts his Big Shoe dance with his hands. I find this particular, because certainly the man doesn't have great hearing....yet the Big Shoe dance at 1600 yards is perfectly audible to him?
Meanwhile, we are still waiting for something to happen with our lunch. The waitress delivers our golden spoon. Apparently, it was chefs choice pizza. I knew the golden spoon prize was real!
We enjoy the tastes of a somewhat an unusual pizza creation. I split the last piece, mostly stuffed at this point. So imagine my surprise when the waitress brings us this now..
Who are we to say no German sausage pizza? But, alas our Golden Spoon prize is now self-evident. It is an all you can eat chefs pizza lunch. We get back to hotel and get the call from Ulli, our bike pick up person. This afternoon we will rendezvous and gather our steeds up. Our helmets have been insides there black stuff bags, and after Bruce over-overhears the conversation he readys his helmet by letting it see out the window.
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We show up to collect the bikes and this is our greater. And look at the view from the Biergarten. That is Villarrica Volcano in the distance. Yesterday at dinner, the clouds were lifting. We discussed if the volcano was erupting. Nah, none of the people seemed the least bit concerned. Sure enough, Villarrica was letting off some steam!
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The town is beginning to make more sense. There have been some very anglo-saxon skin tones, but yet certainly not westerners. Apparently, there is a huge Germanic population. So much that they have their own German school, German hospital and keep the German traditions alive and well. Who is Bruce to turn down an opportunity to gorge himself on 2 pounds of meat and potatoes. But boy does this outdoor dining space have all the pizazz it needs. And could the Geranium bushes be any bigger and colorful?
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And so the journey begins as it always does, 2 people on 2 bikes and nothing but days to coddiwomple lie ahead.
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