We concluded our time in Santiago with our Chilean friends.

This is Puerto Varas in southern Chile where the Congress of the Chilean Orthopaedic Society meeting is being held.

This is a map of Chile with the major volcanoes highlighted. Unfortunately, one of them is spewing volcanic ash which has shut down air travel to the southern half of Chile. We were afraid that we were not going to be able to make it back to our families for Thanksgiving. Thus, we have had to conclude our adventure prematurely and return to our respective homes. We are saddened that we weren't able to visit with our new friends in Puerto Varas and participate in the meeting.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Latin America and are left with nothing but warm feelings for all the people who committed so much time and effort to making it a wonderful experience. We would particularly like to thank our hosts in Sao Paulo, Drs. Ruy Macielo, Alex Laurenco, and Miguel Akkari, in Buenos Aires, Drs. Juan Carlos Couto, Horacio Mischione, and Eduardo Stefano, and in Chile, Drs. Dalia Sepulveda, Juan Carlos Hernandez, and Veronica Vilches. We hope that some day we can return the hospitality in the U.S.