So its day 14 in Chile! Here goes nothing:

Yesterday was great. I woke up at the crack of dawn to jackhammers and metal clinging and the loud builders right outside my window as usual to prepare myself for what would be the longest day yet- great but soooo long. Priscilla somehow managed to wake up and make my breakfast at 7 AM.

a typical breakfast

She lit the gas so that I could take a hot shower and in no time I was out the door trying to flag down a colectivo with frozen, wet hair and a jacket that’s too light. It’s a good thing we have such a small apartment so she can hear me wake up in the morning- otherwise it would be freezing showers for me. I’ve had two of those- they were painful to say the least. But refreshing! I should learn how to light the gas myself.

Surprisingly, I was able to communicate to the Micro driver that I wanted to go to the bus station and was there on time. Priscilla packed me a lunch- four sandwiches, some yogurt, and a roll of cookies. Does she think I’m Sasquatch or something?! Only kidding- she knows I like to feed the street dogs and probably just wanted me to save the dog population of Santiago. Bob Barker needs to start going public in South America, I’m serious. They don’t buy puppies here; they just pick them off the streets and take them in. Maybe I’ll bring one home to Texas…

The hour bus ride to Santiago was nice, and the views were great on the way there. Chile is so pretty- you leave the beach and suddenly you can see the Andes Mountains peeking through the trees. Who knew?! We got to visit La Moneda-where the president of Chile works, a few museums, an art school, the central market, and San Cristobal- a mountain lookout that proved to me just how huge Santiago really is. And I thought Dallas was a big city. We ate lunch in Central market and passed a REALLLLLLY cool fish-market.

the smelly fish market

I almost barfed walking through- the smell was intense- but saw some things you definitely wouldn’t find on the docks in Destin or at Boutins in Baton Rouge: sea urchins, fish the size of Free Willy, octopus, GIANT oysters, etc. For lunch I ate two empanadas- Camarones con Queso (shrimp and cheese). I can’t get enough empanadas- can’t wait to explore them in Texas when I come home in December. I tried my first Pisco Sour and probably had a little too much wine for lunch but I have to indulge while I’m here- after all we are in Chile…Wineland.

happiness is: shrimp empanadas and wine

Chileans love gringos. A typical day walking on the streets in Santiago or Vina I hear “QUE HERMOSA QUE HERMOSA,” “QUE LINDA, QUE LINDA” or “You are veddy beautifulll.” However- I feel safer walking around in Vina even at night than I would feel walking around Arlington. It’s weird- but different because there are always people around, cars driving by, lights on, and dogs to follow you anywhere you need to go! If you ever need a self-esteem boost, come to Chile! We all get flashing headlights, car horns, whistles, shouts…but all in good humor. It’s the norm here, no one takes it seriously.

Speaking of dogs- Lauren and I have one! His name is Negrito and he lives on the beach. We see him every time we go to the beach and every time he is ready to come with. He follows us around, lays in the sand and relaxes, then follows us home when we are ready to go.

Not Negrito- but another fellow beach bum :)

I found the Chilean equivalent of Wal-Mart the other day. It was like walking into heaven- a taste of home. Is that weird ? Also- Lauren and I went to the movies on Wednesday and for two hours forgot we were even in South America. It was great! This week we hope to see Eat Pray Love...it comes out today and I’m tempted to hop on the bus and just go see it- I can’t wait.

Until tomorrow,
Lesley