Hard at work

Yes we have officially been in Santiago for a month and "normal" life is beginning to come into focus. We have an apartment (see last post and new pictures), two cell phones and Chilean ID cards! Oh yes and jobs - well at least I have a job. I am fully established with my very own cubical at the Potificia Católica Universidad de Chile and am busy trying to figure out what exactly it is the U.S. government is paying me to do here. Play in vineyards? Drink lots of good wine? Chase birds around? I think the answer to all of that is yes, but I will hopefully also do some science in the mean time and maybe finally start learning scientific names of plants like a real ecologist.

The fun highlights of my "job" so far include or course the trips out into the field. The first week we were here, while we were still playing tourist, living out of a hostel and fearing the tap water, Olga - one of my bosses, I guess - took me out to the Colchagua Valley. For all you North Americans out there, the Colchagua Valley is Chile's Napa Valley. It's touristy (although not nearly as much as our version) and makes good Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. It also makes taisty Carmenere which California is largely lacking and falls somewhere between a Merlot and a Syrah, at least on my un-educated - but improving - pallet. On this first trip to the region, I was able to walk around two of the vineyards I'll likely be working with Cono Sur and Emiliana. Both make organic wine with the later taking it a step further with biodynamic practices. I'm not exactly sure what that entails yet, but I think moon phases come into play and of course alpacas (see photo in attached slideshow).

My other excursions out into the field were to the Leyda Valley, where some preliminary research is already underway. For comparisons sake I'm going to call Leyda the Mendicino Valley of Chile (why not?). It's near the coast and the vineyard I visited grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. I was able to follow a couple of field techs around who were doing bird surveys and rodent trapping. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see any rodents, including a native white marsupial whose name never stuck in my mind. However, I did get a chance to check off a number of life birds and have begun the process of learning their english names, spanish names, scientific names and all the sounds they make while hidden behind rows of grapes. Luckily there aren't too many of them, relatively speaking. The favorite so far is the Tufted-tit Tyrant. I don't have a picture of one yet, but the Google has lots if you want to check him out. Tomorrow I'm going to start learning the plants!

Ok, so that was a lot about me, I guess I'll talk a little bit about Anna too before signing off. On the subject of work, it is looking like she might be getting some! Through a connection at Davis (Thanks Lou!) it is likely that Anna will be working part time out of a marine research lab on the coast. We made a trip out there last week to meet her potential boss and we are just waiting to see how the funding comes through (as you do). We have pretty pictures of the coast as well, but you'll have to wait until later to see those. We'll keep you updated on how that all progresses.

Until then, thanks for reading. Miss you all.
Ciao,
Zack

Anna - 5 Zack - 6