This week I started doing some more research to help Finna
Estampa get its name out as a hotel, as well as a venue for painting and
drawing lessons. The owner’s son,
Cristian, and I have been working to find travel tour operators to reach out
to, and we’ve also been working on a website and establishing a painting
holiday as a unique way to enjoy Chile and the Colchagua Valley. I’m learning a
lot about marketing a small hotel like this, and how to appeal to the target
demographics and meeting all the possible needs of guests. Of course, it’s not
too difficult to make a place like this appealing! I mean, just look at where I
live…
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| Diana, the family dog and my personal motivator on morning runs |
All over the back patio of the hotel, there’s furniture made
from wooden barrels that were previously used to age wine at nearby vineyards, and
this week Monica and her friend, Sandra, and I made a stop by the craftsman’s
studio to pick up a few new pieces. There are so many amazing works of art
there! He makes everything from clocks to flower pots to chairs to loveseats.
It’s such an amazing skill to have. I wish I could buy furniture and bring it
home with me, but I don’t think my suitcase is quite big enough.
Then the 3 of us made a stop by La Famiglia, an Italian
restaurant near the main plaza that’s owned by Monica and Rolf’s neighbors, for
some Happy Hour Pisco Sours and a delicious proscuitto and arugula pizza (which
was excellent timing because for some reason my facebook has decided to
advertise Pizza Hut like crazy. This pizza was way better than Pizza Hut
anyway!). It was a really lovely
day out in town!
This past weekend, Alex and his friends and I went to
Pichilemu, a coastal town that’s about an hour from Santa Cruz. It was so
beautiful! And it was nice to have a change of scenery as well. Nothing like
seeing the beach to relax you! We rented a sweet little cabin and spent the
weekend eating delicious seafood empanadas, drinking piscolas, shopping at the artisanal
market, sitting on cliffs and watching surfers, and just hanging out. They are
a really fun group, and we definitely made some great memories. Just yet
another experience to reassure me that Chileans are some of the most welcoming
and friendly people. I’m so glad to know them :)
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| There were so many surfers in this spot. At one point, we counted 48 just in the spot we could see! |
The roadtrip down to Chiloe Island and my parents’ arrival are quickly
approaching! As of now, all the hotels are booked and vineyard tours, fly fishing
floats, and hiking trips have been arranged. Next step is researching all the
must-eat dishes and restaurants, my favorite part!
My time here is running out, and I'm definitely going to be enjoying as much sun and wine as I can before we head down South next week, where it's cooler and cloudier. But there's excellent sea food down there, so it's not such a bad trade :)
Besos xox
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