Round the world trip… hello from Chile!

Hello ladies, from the first stop on our trip around the world – Santiago!

Santiago is a diverse city with different districts, separated by a river and hemmed by mountain ranges. It’s one of the most famous in the Andes range, spanning the longest length in the world through seven countries. Plus, it’s the second highest range to the Himalayas! More about the Andes later…

The three main districts on one side of the river are downtown (the commercial financial centre of the city), Providencia (the happening shopping hub) and Las Condes (a more up-market area with restaurants, cafes, shopping). On the other side is Bella Vista - a hip, trendy area full of bars, restaurants and clubs, brightly painted murals and standout architecture.

The shopping in Santiago is good, however, similar pricing to Australia, with big malls to small boutiques. The biggest is Costanera Centre Mall in Providencia, with six floors spanning several blocks, high fashion to local stores and massive supermarket Jumbo. Another nice mall, which is outdoors and has an up-market ‘outdoor food court’, is Parque Arauco in Las Condes - high fashion but in a lovely setting with ice skating and theatres.

I know you’re all wondering about the food, so here goes… The food is delicious! Empanades, sapodilla (a pumpkin deep-fried pastry) and pisca sour (dinrk) are all popular Chilean delicacies I’m enjoying here. Lucky I love Spanish food, as there’s a great Spanish influence here, reflected in the food and language.

Transport is easy; the options are subway, bus, push bike or walking off all that delicious food! With the city built in a grid, it’s easy to find your way. Santiago is unique in the way it’s 1.5 hours from the Pacific Ocean, and 1.5 hours to the Andes to the East, so if your passion is surfing and snow skiing, it would be possible to do both on a weekend. Perfect. There’s been some haze setting into the city; it hasn’t rained in weeks and apparently the mountains stop the wind from moving the haze. I’ve noticed that not many people wear sunnies over here – it must be an Australian thing!

The Chileans love their local football; we watched the Copa America (South America Cup) with Chile getting up over Peru. A match with Argentina will be a challenge for host Chile in the final!

We visited one of the lodes wineries in Chile - Saint Carolina, established in 1765. It still uses vines in some areas originating from this time… Amazing! The winery was beautiful and the cellar amazing with arches and brick columns, the mortar made of lime and egg whites. It even withstood the earthquake in 2010.

Sans Cristobel is the highest hill in the city, surrounded by National Park. It overlooks the city and has a 22-metre Virgin Mary on top, watching over the people below. Furnicular is a great transport option to the top of the mountain from the city.

Santiago is a wonderful city to lose yourself, though it’s the people that make the experience one not to be forgotten.

We’re collecting moments, not things.

Ciao, Jen x

P.S. Chile defeated Argentina in a shoot-out at the end. First time since 1968!

To lasting friendship and a spot of wine tasting

Last year marked the 30th year since I finished school. Can you believe it?! After having celebrated in Byron Bay in 2014, and our friendships ignited like it was 1984 again, the girls and I decided on a trip to the Hunter Valley for this year’s reunion. To celebrate lasting friendships, all the way from teenage shenanigans to the “not-so-grown-up” adult years.

Really, my friends and I have social media to thank for formalising our yearly get-togethers.

After last year’s special reunion, it sparked my natural tendencies to be an organisational queen – and the perfect reason to celebrate! Of the nine of us, seven are on Facebook, making the process super easy. Naturally, all the girls were keen as mustard – some having not seen each other for almost 20 years.

We set a date for March 2015 and travelled in our “glamour coach” with our Coach Captain, Michelle. She’s found her new calling as tour guide/driver!  

In a nutshell, the reunion trip was three amazing days of girl-power and escapades, with the Billy Idol concert certainly apt for an ‘80s flashback. Talk about a time warp! Since the teenage years, we’ve all taken different paths; some of us have twins, partners and husbands. Each of us had something to share and there’s a comforting familiarity from these childhood friendships.

In the next couple of years to celebrate a few significant birthdays, you’ll find us in New York City! We are so fortunate to have reunited as a group. Big love and thanks to Michelle S, Michelle B, Wendy, Tracey, Donna, Megan and Mel for being amazing YOU.

We are collecting moments, not things.

Jen x

I still spend time with my Mother’s Group – here’s why

When I say I'm going away with my Mother’s Group, people look at me a little strange. No, I haven’t popped out a baby recently. And yes, after 21 years we still have a special bond that I’m sure will endure to our wrinkly years.

It was March 1994. We met at the baby clinic’s six-week baby/parent course. The rest, as they say, is history. We all come from different walks of life and varying ages. Leesa, the baby of the group, was 23, and Carole the “senior mum” was 30+. However, the most unique thing about this group is that we didn’t choose each other. We all shared the common bond of a new little baby bundle – and the pros and cons that came with it (most of which we had no idea about at the time!).

Over the years, we’ve celebrated many milestones and endured some sad times. Our bond has grown and the support we have for each other is immeasurable. Between the eight mums, we’ve given birth to a gaggle of 22 babies, including Carole’s Jeremy who, sadly, was stillborn. Adele has moved overseas and Kate has moved on, so our core group is now six, and ever stronger.

The mums and I celebrate our own birthdays with a catch-up dinner and, of course, an annual getaway. This year is Mornington Peninsula, to road-test some Girls Getaways options. I can hardly wait to share with you the results. I’m sure much pampering, giggling and champagne will endure.

Although most of the kids and dads didn’t necessarily retain the close friendships like us mums, we do have a family bond with one family – they’re like cousins to my children. Many holidays and celebrations have been shared.

I am truly blessed and eternally grateful to have these beautiful women in my life. Much love to Carole, Kim, Leesa, Margaret and Michelle.

Jen x