New Year's Eve (12/31)

I've never celebrated the new year on a beach before. It was definitely a first for Deb and I. The beaches in Vina Del Mar are really nice too. With boardwalks, shells, even sand sculpting. We spend a few days in an apartment with friends from church. It was casual and comfortable. We shared the expenses and all helped out. Then we stayed up late and went to the beach when we felt like it. We also toured Valpo guided by the expertise of Jessica and Roberto. There were so many people there for the fireworks on New Year's Eve. There was a really nice show, but some of the fireworks missed their target and actually set a peer building on fire. And, then champaigne corks popped everywhere and people toasted to the new year. The next day the beach was covered in trash, bottles and waste. But, we had to go back to Santiago anyway. It certainly was a relaxing way to spend the days before heading back to the states.