One year ago, as I left home on a one-way ticket to Chile, my brother said, “I can´t believe we don´t know when we´ll see you next.” Through her tears, my mom quickly assured us all that I´d of course be home for Christmas. I told her “maybe.”

Of course Christmas isn´t the same without family, but I anticipated experiencing South America in its entirety — and that meant a Southern Hemisphere Holiday…at the beach. 

The holidays grew closer and I became homesick, and was ready to book the first ticket home just weeks before Thanksgiving. But I´d waited too long for an affordable price, and had to stick to the original plan. 

My boyfriend Mark booked us a weekend in Pichilemu, a popular surf beach in Central Chile. And thanks to modern technology, I got the best of both worlds — Christmas at the beach and time with my family who was on another continent.

A snapshot of Pichilemu, Chile: Taut and tawny surfers ride the big blue waves that crash into a shore of black sand. Their footprints are covered by tracks of tiny birds who frolic in the shallow water. Sea lions bark to the seagulls who soar above rocky cliffs. Just down the dirt road, it´s like a new world. Salt water and rolling waves are replaced with salt flats and rolling hills. 

Pichilemu, Chile

Mark and I stayed at a Pichilemu Surf Hostal´s bed and breakfast just across the street from the waterfront. Our room featured a ladder to an attic with a bay window overlooking the ocean. The property also included a restaurant on the water with a beautiful patio and quiet beach perfect for spending our Christmas weekend.

Baby birds playing in the water.

The beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Chilean Jenga at sunset.

It was a bit chilly until the late afternoons, so Mark & I drove along the coast to see what we could find. It was well worth the drive, which turned into a relaxing afternoon for just the two of us. The coastline was beautiful, set near a green lush valley of rolling hills. Bays of fishing boats full of the afternoon’s catch hid around every corner. Eventually, the coastal highway led to quiet salt flats. Locals sold the harvest in jars of colorful, scented bath salts out of rickety carts parked near the water.

The valley.

The bay.

Mark & I

A bridge across the lagoon.

Pichilemu Salt Flats.

A salt stand.

The hostel cooked a delicious three course Christmas dinner, served on Christmas Eve, which is when Chileans celebrate the holiday. Typically, Chileans eat dinner with their families then open presents at midnight. Our oceanside feast included carpaccio res, which is thin slices of raw beef. I tried a bit of it, but it wasn´t my thing. The main course was cheesy au grain potatoes and pork ribs topped with a sweet cherry tomato marinade. I don´t usually eat meat off the bone because it makes me think of cannibalism (weird, I know) but I made an exception for this meal. It was literally the first time I ate ribs and I am now so disappointed that I´ve been missing out my whole life. Of course, a bottle of Chilean Carmenere topped off the dinner. The dessert was an apple strudel with vanilla ice cream.

Christmas Day breakfast featured scrambled eggs, homemade bread and jam, cold cuts and freshly squeezed orange juice. So delicious!

The hostel had such great food that we ate there the entire weekend, and didn´t  feel the need to try other local haunts.

Christmas (Navidad) Dinner Menu on a surfboard!

Raw beef slices. I’m becoming quite adventurous!

I hate eating meat off the bone. I’ve never properly eaten ribs. But these pork ribs were delicious and I completely cleaned my plate!

Apple strudel and ice cream for dessert.

Christmas morning breakfast. It’s not Mom’s french toast casserole, but it was tasty — and with a beach view.

Mark & I drove home Christmas morning — Chilean time, so I could make it back to my computer for Christmas morning — Las Vegas time. My mom sent me a huge package filled to the brim with wrapped presents. She even sent my stocking full of gifts. My brother, mom and I all opened our presents together via Skype video chat. I am so thankful that modern technology allowed me to feel at home for the holidays for what was my first Christmas away from my dear family.

I’m a bit spoiled!

It was so neat to be able to have Christmas at the beach and still “see” my family for the holiday. Being the beach bum that I am, I may never be on the Northern Hemisphere for my favorite holiday again. (sorry, Mom!)

Christmas tree in a boat!

Feliz Navidad from Chile!

—JDF