I never got to Bariloche but my parents went there twice.  When I lived in Montevideo, Uruguay we went over to Buenos Aires a few times.

With my MS any travelling is super hard on me.  The thought of going in a jet does not appeal to me since I would probably end up not being able to walk!  So I will have to content myself with my memories of long ago.  I never doubted that Chile would develop, it just took Chile many years to recover from the horrible earthquakes of 1960. 

I remember the last few months we were in Chile that the University of Santiago was doing an experimental TV broadcast and my parents had their TV up in the attic, holding an antenna out the window desperately trying to get the signal.  Times have changed, that is for sure!  Though I do worry about all the glass in the modern buildings if Santiago ever gets a high 7 earthquake again.

Besides, since Chile is modern now, I probably would not get to see the cart horses in the city!  Back then every hearse was drawn by horses, black for adults and white for children.  One time, coming back to Santiago from the north, we counted (and passed) over a hundred farmer's wagons, all with two to five horses in harness, bringing in produce to the big open air market in Santiago.  I got to see LOTS of horses in South America, its one of the reasons I loved it down there so much!

Yes, lets keep in touch.  Sometimes I come up to the DC area to get a lesson at one of the few Forward Seat schools left, North Fork School of Equitation in Jefferson, Md. with Karen Fenwick.  My husband does stamp shows up in the DC area, maybe someday we can meet!!!! 

I still get a thrill when I see the Chilean flag.  So glad to get to know you. 

I remember Valpo and Vina del Mar. In Vina del Mar we used to go to the big hotel and watch the waves crashing, the spume got around 60 feet up and we could see in through the dining room windows. My father was with the US embassy, and my parents liked going around the country-side alot. I do not remember Olmue, if it was on the main road from Santiago to Valporaiso we went through it.
This was a long time ago, over 50 years ago. Back then, in the southern part of Chile they still used ox drawn carts with solid wooden wheels. Most of the roads were still dirt roads, I could always count on seeing lots and lots of horses pulling farmer's wagons, delivery wagons in the city, and some people riding. I fell in love with horses in Chile, the first horse I met in my life was a Chilean TB, and the first horse I rode was a criollo pony. I even have a pair of the wooden stirrups and those BIG spurs (no, I don't use them.)
In Chile we stopped in Antofagsta (sp?) and Arica up north, to the south we visited the pottery markets in Chillan several times (including one train trip with a real steam locomotive.) I even got to take a boat ride through the southern islands down to Punta Arenas (?) and once down to Tierra del Fuego. I adored Chile, I was six and in this wondrous country that seemed magical. Even though I saw Yanqui Go Home and Gringo Go Home all over the place, nobody seemed to resent me personally, probably because I was so young!
I'm American, over half-Swiss (Amish & Mennonite), over a quarter German (Black Forest region), some English and Native American.
When we left Chile my folks sold their immense station wagon to a family that did a lot of cueca dancing. They were thrilled to get a car in which the ladies could spread out their skirts. That was a good car, it took us to a lot of places in Chile, desert, valleys, mountains, etc..
Thank you for bringing back good memories!

Two sons, neither ride but they did grow up around horses and helped with them, both in their 30's, one grandson 1 year old.

My father wanted to ride when we got to Chile, and he found a stable that rented horses for trail rides.  We always had a huaso guide, amazing riders riding bareback with just a rope halter up and down those precipitous slopes at all gaits.  The huasos and the criollos sure took good care of us American beginner riders!

Are you Chilean?  Where did you live?  I lived in Santiago, 1957-1960, went to Santiago College, I was in Chillan for the foreshock of and in Talca for the horrible 1960 earthquake (we were headed for Valdivia, luckily my parents decided to turn around.)  I really liked living in Chile back then in spite of the earthquakes.

 

Do you ride Sandra? 

I think it is GREAT that your daughter loves riding! 

Any way I can help (advice), well, that is what Barnmice is for!