24.06 - Day 5 - Valparasio to Santiago, CHL




Valparasio, Chile
Thursday 24th June 2010

#What a difference a day makes# 

Besides an empty dorm the other element missing when I wake up is the sound of the rain. Beautiful blue skies make it hard to believe the weather of the day before. After a rousing breakfast of boiled eggs, fresh kiwi, toast, filter coffee and even an attempted serenade on a didgeridoo by the young child of the house, we set off to explore the cobbled streets. 


Whilst nothing specific occurred (barring a trip the Cemetery of the Dissidents; mostly non catholic Scottish folk which left us feeling a little uneasy) we enjoyed strolling around the “photographers dream,” at each corner trying to capture on camera the coloured houses and playful graffiti against the bright blue sky background.






We walk back through the town to the bus station taking in and appreciating the architecture and views that were obscured from us the day before. As the mountains drift pass on the journey back, reflecting on Valpo – a much bigger town than the quaint seaside town I’d imagined. 



Intuitively you go up the hills to get the views but looking down you survey an industrial town with a large naval base. The best views are amongst the houses themselves with occasional panoramic views of the multi coloured house fronts. 






And of course, the weather counts for a lot…



Back in ‘ol faithful of Andes Hostel in Santiago in a new but disappointingly full dorm we drop our stuff and head to Café Utopia for more Happy Hour cocktails. Mojito precedes Amaretto Sour precedes Pisco Sour. For the princely sum of £4.50, all in. And to think that Chile is supposed to be one of our more pricey venues. 

The classic empanada from Papy Pizza, pollo - great pastry, chicken a little dry. But for a few final games of pool (Krish pulls it back to a more respectable 7-5). Amusement had at the expense of Francois who has two giant hickies on his neck which he ashamedly or is that proudly, shows off.
 

On… The Language
Whilst our Spanish is not good enough for a genuine conversation we can now initiate the first sentence or question. Interpreting what is being said to us though can be another matter. Which creates moments like these:
  1. Matt & Krish walk into a café
  2. Waiter speaks.
  3. Krish: “Café y brownie por favor.”
  4. Transpires the waiters first comment was that they were closed.
  1. Matt & Krish in taxi to airport
  2. Taxi driver speaks.
  3. Matt: “Terminal international por favour.”
  4. Transpires he was asking how we’d like to pay.