Rancagua 1

The sleepy troops awoke this morning to the sounding horns of the car escort through Rancagua's highway!

Balloons and banners were waved out of car windows as we were taken to the church.

Today's task. Children's work.

Rancagua is at first glance a sleepy city. Surrounded by mountains, it boasts a thriving vineyard (I'm not sure if the sleepiness of the city is linked). As I'm on a methodist tour, the local industry, however, remains a mystery.

The silence of the dusty streets is shattered by the tour members - another 'happiness parade' has begun! The snare drum ricochets its was through the housing block, calling all 'ninio's' (children) to the plaza opposite the church.

I realised then what the pied piper of hamlyn must have felt like!

Children appeared from behind every window, door, gate and alleyway!

We finally ended up with about 50 children on the park, with what seemed like a swarm of several hundred (well, maybe) more having chased after us, or snuck a cautious peek at us from the safety of their homes.

There is a similar plan for tomorrow - a holiday club style event during the day - followed by the now catchphrase-like sentence of mine: hoy, es las sieta en la plaza.

Tomorrow night will then take us to Santiago overnight before a rest day by the beach.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange