We headed out of Santiago on Route 78, a privately maintained toll-road which took us to Pomaire, a small Chilean town about 1.25 hours from Santiago which features many local artisans. We perused the merchandise while we waited for my friend's husband to arrive with their two children (2 year and 8 month old boys). When they arrived we headed to a restaurant in a quiet corner of town for an authentic Chilean meal.

We had great fun and the buys were a delight. We were introduced to the 2 year old as Tio and Tia and indeed that is what we were called for the remainder of our time with our friends.

After eating we drove on local roads the 10 minutes or so to my friend's house in Melipilla where we all caught up (as the last time I had been in Chile my friend did not yet have children and I was single).