realities

We're up in the North of Chile in the Atacama Desert.  It is the driest place on Earth outside of Antartica.  It receives rain every few years and only very little at that.  The average rainfall per year is measured in millimeters. I'm flying once, twice, three times a day now.  The lift is everywhere and the flights are exceedingly gorgeous as I fly over 1000 ft sand dunes and the city to land at the beach.

We are starting to realize how difficult it is to travel with a baby.  I know that all babies are different and it might be easier to travel with one baby over another, but I also know there are some universal realities to traveling with a baby that makes it more difficult.  Number one, they are heavy.  Anytime you move cities, places to stay, etcetera you must not only carry your 20+ pound baby, you also need to bring all their stuff.  As we don't co-sleep that includes a baby crib, on top of the clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, and food that you need at all time when traveling with baby.  While traveling with baby, one must also consider nap times and schedule accordingly.  Does this flight leave before his nap, so he can sleep on the plane or after his nap so he can sleep at the house?  Or will baby simply go without nap (a daunting thought)?  All of this adds up to spending more money.  When traveling with a baby I can guarantee that you'll spend more money.  Your not going to want or be able to hunt down the cheapest deals when arriving at a new place.  So instead you find a comfortable place to set up and if it's too expensive you'll end up hitting the streets while baby naps.

I'm not saying that traveling is a bummer with a baby.  I think it is a wonderful adventure.  I appreciate the process that we go through to ensure that Jaden feels comfortable and secure at all times.  That said, I'm excited to settle down in a couple of weeks in a place where we plan to stay for at least 2 months.  I'll be working construction, building a shed and cabana with a Chilean contractor for a couple of gringos.  It's a two month job that gives us free living and a ride to the surf a few days a week.  Plus I'll get the added bonus of working in the spanish language, while learning some more building skills.  I'm excited about it.  Kate will be staying home with Jaden, taking Spanish classes and doing some babysitting on the side.  We are making it work out here and are still hoping to find English teaching jobs some point in the future.

Here are some more picts!

Jaden meeting a couple of Carabineros on caballo(police on horse)

Shopping in Santiago

Plaza de Armas Santiago: A clown making some money making fun of everybody, including Jaden!

The clown took this picture as he pretended to run off with our camera. The whole crowd was dying of laughter

During Siesta hundreds come to play chess! Young and old, it's pretty cool!

The castle in Santiago that was built by Validivia the conqueror of Chile

From the top of the castle we got a spectacular view

There are stairs and archways everywhere.

Modern, airport art!

Our place in Iquique is a converted shipping container.  It's pretty nice, really!

The sand dunes above our hotel!

Jaden's getting better at walking, but he still thinks an orange is only a ball!

Family photo

We find some interesting signs around here.  These are posted in all ocean cities.  Evacuation in case of Tsunami.  Unfortunately the guy in the picture didn't get a big enough headstart.

Iquique

Sand dune fun!

Yeehaa down a steep dune!

Nice playgrounds around here

Yeehaa!  Some flyin!