The Chilean Pipeline

While in Chile with Chris and Lacey, we decided some surfing was definately in order. We went to the only surfshop in Vina del Mar, and they didn't rent boards but suggested we call a dude named Pato who rents them and gives lessons. So we got all hooked up to do some surfing the next day. We were a little concerned about getting cold cause the ocean was FREEZING!!

So we all load into Pato's awesome surf van and drive for about an hour down the coast. We passed lots of beautiful beaches with pretty good waves, but kept driving. Then we entered an industrial park... we look at each other... Pato stops the van, everybody out. The beach from here is covered in litter and there looks like the remains of an old metal boat washed up in the shallows. Pato assures us that we're not surfing right here, we have to walk for a bit to get to his secret spot.

We walk down the beach towards a huge pipeline that was part of the industrial plant. This is the spot. "The Spot" was right next to a pier supporting the pipeline, which had huge tanker ships at the end of it! There was steam coming off of the water... it was like a bathtub! And although I should have been appalled by the probably toxic hot water, it was the first time surfing that I haven't been totally freezing! And the waves were amazing, we all agreed it was one of our best surf days ever!

Then we found this huge dead squid on the beach! Yummmm...

So, I'm back in Vancouver now... still pretty out of it with some jet lag and culture shock. Sorry if I haven't gotten in touch with you, don't have a phone at the moment. But I will write more about readjusting to North America momentarily... like once that occurs. If it ever occurs...

Chao!

Kate