fruitier

Frutillar (or more specifically Baja Frutillar) looks like a transplanted Bavarian town. In the same way that Mae Hong Son in Thailand is known as little Switzerland or Aspen has chalets. Except Frutillar was settled by German immigrants in the 19th century.

Its name means Strawberry in Chilean Spanish ("fresa" means strawberry in Mexican Spanish).

Frutillar is a well-heeled tourist town. Its famous landmark is the Muelle Fruitillar, a wooden pier that juts out into Lago Llanquihue (Yankee Lake! I belong.), Chile's largest.

 It was a rainy day, but people were out playing beach volleyball and traipsing through town in search of artisanal chocolate.

From the pier, you get a first glimpse of the Teatro del Lago, a new musical performance space.

It wasn't open but I went over to admire the woodwork.

The town draws a cultured crowd, like a Chilean Ashland or Chautauqua.

Lots of elves too, for Christmas.

Doesn't it make you miss the alps?

For good measure, Frutillar has currant bushes too. And delicious kuchen. But as far as I could tell, no strawberries.