This post if mostly for those who know that we have land in Pirque, a small town on the outskirts of Santiago. The first half of this set of photos features the sights you'll see on the way there, the second half is the pictures of us there on our property in Chile. Who knows maybe someday you'll come to visit us there (although we have no plans to build there as of now).
One of the few remaining vineyards in Santiago.
As you exit Santiago you pass through some shanty town areas, just before you reach rich new subdivisions.
Entrance to a rich new subdivision on the left. This picture shows the nice highway which takes you to Pirque.
At this point you begin to see more nature and less city.
A few kilometers before the turn off to Pirque you pass through a small town which has buildings that abut the highway.
I believe this is Rio Mapocho, but I can't remember anymore, this river must be crossed in order to go to Pirque.
Where you need to turn to go to Pirque.
The bridge where you cross the river.
There is some kind of plant at this point in the river, I'm not sure of it's purpose.
One of the farms/estates that you pass on the way to Pirque.
After a few kilometers on the last road you take a left onto a dirt road, this is the first property you see on the right.
The dirt road winds through some forested areas before it starts to raise above the valley below and lead you to Pirque.
The valley below.
The first glimpse of the almond farm that was subdivided into various lots of which we own one.
The first modest house that has been built at Pirque is that of Amrit Singh, who along with Claudio arranged the whole purchase and subdivision of this almond farm in Pirque.
Path leading to Amrit's house.
This is our lot right here.
Sita and her mom, on our part of the almond farm. In the lower right is the second house being built in Pirque that of Sat Kirpal Kaur and her husband Adan and family.
The view from our property.
"Hey, it's my land I can climb the trees and pick almonds, can't I?"
The whole farm, being on the side of a hill, has been terraced.
More pictures of Amrit's property.
His front lawn.
The view from Amrit's porch.
Amrit Singh wasn't there at the time, but I still took the opportunity to enjoy his hammock.
A storage structure some one put up.
One of the almonds we picked from our trees. I had never had fresh ripe almonds before, they're actually moist and sweet when you eat them fresh, it was quite a treat.
Me jumping down the terraces.
A dog that befriended us as soon as he spotted us.
The almonds with their whole fruit still attached.
"Almost got it."
You knew the almonds were ready if the fruit was wholly yellow with red parts.
The green fruits held immature almonds which are bitter like the inside of peaches.
Sita picking our almonds.
Sunset at Pirque.
Sita finally reluctantly agreed to get on my shoulders and we obtained a lot more almonds.
Quite a harvest, but we can get more.
The runoff or irrigation created some deep channels in various places.
I think this is a honey bee operation that some one has going there.
It's hard to see in this picture as it is getting dark, but there were horses there.
At the beginning of the dirt road to Pirque there are recycling containers. I thought this was pretty cool and progressive considering the place is pretty rural.
A blurry view of the sunset as we headed back to Santiago.
Enjoying dinner at the airport.
Daniel and Luna may look caught off guard here because I was actually trying to get a picture of the waiter behind them, who's featured in the following two photographs as well. You know how people say they have a "twin" or a look-a-like somewhere else in this world. Well I thought this guy looked a lot like the mayor of Española, Joseph Maestas, so I took some pictures of him to see if anyone else thought the same.
One last "act" from the kids, before I boarded the plane. They're so cute, aren't they?
