Let me say, that my confidence and self image has not been the greatest this past year, after gaining 20 lbs in three months (what is THAT??) and failing to lose it. So imagine, pudgy, not tall, pale North American me, walking up to the poolside to find three of the most beautiful women in Chile sunbathing in bikinis. Oh my word.
I think I may have quickly retreated to our room and may have needed Kiko to give me a quick pep talk to rejoin our society and let myself actually enjoy the weekend. It did help that he pointed out that all three are actual models and generally accepted to be more beautiful and perfect than any one. Ever.
So, tankini with cover up on, I rejoined the group and discovered some truly wonderful and amazing people! They were the kind of friends that made you feel right at home, are interested in you, encourage you, and you want to stay up late talking with. My biggest regret was not being fluent in Spanish! Someday, I am going to be just so I can talk, really talk, with these friends and family that continue to make me want to really know them!
Alvaro had all the toys! He has jet skis, wakeboards, a pool, swing set, basically a little paradise for the boys and for us! The house was beautiful but comfortable and functional. Tristan was in heaven! Alvaro took him jet skiing and it was all he asked to do, every 10 minutes, for the next 36 hours.
I got to wakeboard! I got up! On the 2nd day I even got a teeny, weeny amount of air jumping the wake. The photos are not flattering. I am focusing and concentrating so hard and it's all over my face!
Moiky is so smooth and fluid wakeboarding - she's stunning anyway but put her on the wakeboard and it's beauty in motion! I watched her from the deck of the house and another boat passed by and the guy wakeboarding behind it kept watching her, even once he had far passed her and did the horrific crash for it.
Her husband Ritchy has only been doing it for a year and was awesome! The kids loved them both. Tanner was especially in love with Moiky and was all snuggles and kisses for her.
They got Tristan to kneeboard on our last day - he was terrified but went for it anyway and was so proud of himself. He fell over and didn't let go of the rope quickly so had a little bit of time underwater being pulled by the boat and learned that lesson the hard way. And daddy and Ritchy had near heart attacks watching it happen, ready to jump in and rescue our little buddy.
Alvaro is a pro on the jet ski and wake board. He thrilled the kids with flips and grabs, jumps, wheelies and style!
Maryanne, his wife is pregnant and has an active 20 month old boy, but won jet ski races and championships previously so next year we will see her show the boys even more, I suppose. She is one of the people I am looking forward to talking with and knowing once I can speak the language! It's so frustrating to want to ask questions or know more and totally not have the words to do it.
Dominic and Francisco (aka, Negro) were another couple there and were great to chat with and get to know! Dominic is like me with the language - understands but not able to speak, so she spoke in Spanish and I spoke in English. Someday we are going to be great friends!!!
All in all, my best days in Chile were there at Lake Rapel watching my boys have the time of their lives and getting to know some great friends of my husband's and now, mine!
I am so impressed with Alvaro and Kiko's friendship. One of those lifetime, totally blessed friendships we all hope to have.
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