I'm here!!

Hey everyone!!!
Thought id make my first entry into my blog on my first day! Everything has been absolutely brilliant so far....

Got to the airport with my bag 10kilos overweight... no problems. I was told i could only take one snowboard, boots and bindings and nothing else in my snowboard bag, naturally i put in 2 boards, helmet, several coats trousers and other random bits and bobs....absolutely fine! Then spread out on my THREE seats on the 2 hour flight to Zurich. I then had to change planes, and what i saw of Zurich airport (Switzerland) was really nice and swish. Then had 11 hours and 6000 miles to Brazil, which went surprisingly fast - i took some herbal sleeping tablets which im sure just kept me awake cos i wasnt tired at all and don't think i really slept much. We then had to wait for an hour on the plane at Brazil, and then headed the 4 hours to Chile. It was amazing seeing the mountains and different geography as we flew nearer to Chile. A nice couple from Vina-del-mar (where i hope to be going in the summer) let me take some photos from their seats so i have my first view of the snowy Andes on camera!

When i arrived i ended up just getting a taxi to take me to Santiago, thought it would be quicker and easier...but the lovely old chilean man had no clue whatsoever where the hostel was and we ended up asking about 50 people and eventually arrived 2 hours later. Got to practice my spanish anyway!

The hostels really nice, £6 for the night. met 3 english guys straight away which is cool. One (Rich, who wanted to be mentioned) was actually on my flight, but we didnt see eachother.(Ive just found out he actually saved my life by helping to get my bag off the conveyor belt...im obviously very observant!) The other two have been here for a week already and are staying in Santiago in an apartment from next week for 6 months, so i can go and stay with them when i come to the city. We explored the city a bit, went for lunch. i had a pizza and a pint all for £2.10! We went up this big hill so we could see all of Santiago which looks incredible with the Andes in the background...AMAZING! I really cant believe im here, it was so easy and simple!

I can't get any photos up yet as my laptop isnt actually connecting to the internet...hopefully it will decide to start working when i go up to the mountain tomorrow. Im getting picked up at 8am and then hopefully ill be on the slopes by the afternoon! Im going to be staying with Karl in a proper apartment for the whole season. Ive already met a few people in the hostel who are coming up to the resort within the next week so i can board with them. yay :)

Iv bought myself a guitar already that i saw as i walked past the shop (i decided the i was gonna learn to play while im in Chile and have lots of time on my hands). Iv also got myself a Chilean sim card...which actually is really complicated and not anything like popping into Tesco and buying one for a quid! Good test for the old spanish i guess! My number is 005692596539 if you ever want to text. Hopefull that codes right, its all a bit random here and they are all different.

Well there you go, Im gonna have my first shower and sleep for 40 hours or something then up the mountain in the morning where the real fun begins!! Ill get some photos and give an update soon! Oh yeh, and it was warm and sunny even though its winter!!
Buenas noches xxx

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