Embalse El Yeso, a nature rejoy close to Santiago

by RAFAEL ROGATI (Brazil)

I didn't expect to find Chile

In January 2017, I was planning a trip to Santiago, the capital of Chile, with my girlfriend. We knew that we had a lot of things to do out there, and, even though wasn't winter time, and it wouldn't be snowing, we were excited to experience all that the city have to offers. But as we were starting to see the places we had to go visit, I thought that something was missing, because Chile is full of nature beauties, and the only thing we were about to see in this nature was the famous beach in Viña del Mar. And this is at almost every travel guide, and I wanted to do something different as well. So we started to seek places close to Santiago - because we were a little short of cash to go far away from it - that could add a great experience to the trip. And, then, we find this place, called Embalse El Yeso. Just looking at pictures from it can make you want to go there, and it was a one hour car trip from our destination, so we decided we had to go. As we kept doing our research about the place, we find out that it is highly recommended to go with a travel agency, because the access can be quite complicated, specially during the snow time. So we weren't sure what to do yet, should we do it ourselves?! I didn't know before, and so we went to Chile with only one thing in our minds: one way or another, we would get there. But once we got in Santiago, in February, the weather was great. It was still summer out there, so we decided to take a chance, rent a car and go! Maps, food, clothes, all set! With our best friend at the time, the phone GPS, we went on, searching for the amazing that we hoped to see. I am not going to lie, since I saw some reviews, I was a little bit anxious about the road, because it seemed dangerous. But it was all good until San Jose Del Maipo, the city where the Embalse El Yeso is held. So we went on and approached the Valle del Yeso Park. And that is when got tricky. You have to drive through an off-road, really close to the cliffs, for about half an hour. The view is amazing, but the tension is real. And I really recommend you not to do so if you are a beginner driver - or even if you consider yourself a great solid driver, if the weather isn't helping. As the view was getting better and better, I was already in love with that place. We stopped a few times to take pictures, and kept falling in love with that majestic nature. And when we finally got there, with all that greatness, with large mountains covered in snow - even though it was summer - the beautiful green color lake, formed by the melted glacier water, I knew I was living a moment to record. It happens a few times in your life. But when it does, you have to aspire it all. Experience it all. To live that moment to the fullest. That moment that boosts your energy and makes you realize that the world is showing the presence of a major and unique force, that fulfil your body and soul with a feeling that can make you drop a tear of happiness. And there is nothing else you need to do or think. Your are in the right place at the right time. Just put a smile and enjoy the ride!