Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le, Viva Chile!

Ola,

What have i been up to the last couple of days you ask! Well even if you don’t I will tell you anyway coz I know my Mum is out there and she loves me and listening to my stories.

Santiago was a real blast. My last night there was spent with a couple of English lads from my hostel who, having arrived that day, decided that it was about time to sample the local wheat, hops and barley. Also, Chile were playing Paraguay in a friendly game of soccer so we hoped to take in some cultural experiences as well. And what a night it was. We ended up roaringly drunk chanting Chilean soccer songs (see title of blog) and being generally rowdy with all these Chilean blokes in a local bar (they have a very low impression of Australian soccer…even my attempts to tell them that we made the World Cup and they didn’t failed to persuade them into thinking that we were any good).

Three guys ended up taking us to a discoteca in Barrio Bellavista (great area of Santiago with lots of bars, restaurants and clubs) after the bar closed. I know what your thinking - 6 guys…..they must have had a great time at a totally heterosexual disco. WRONG! They took us to a bloody gay bar, and after we explained that that wasn’t really our thing, tried to get us to go to a peepshow instead. So we went to the peepshow….hahaha no but we would of if it wasn’t $20. And then after all this, they tried to hit us up for some cash for taking them out on such a ¨muy bien¨evening. Of course, we jumped in a taxi as fast as we could.

I also found my calling in life at the hostel I was staying at in Santiago. The owner is an Aussie and a mad cricket nut so he has built in the backyard a cricket net, complete with bowling machine etc. It was unreal! I was chilling out in the arvo out there and his Santiagoan cricket side that he has started came for practice. I was slightly bored, and the thought of having a bowl was too much to resist. Well can I just say that I have never dismissed so many batsman in my entire life - the crowd was chanting for more, so I changed to off-spin and they still couldn’t stop me. It beat bowling for the Winnie Blues that’s for sure. They were asking me for tips and everything….so of course I obliged. Call me Glenn McGrath, call me Tim May, call me bloody Shane Warne for all I care, I was on! It was definitely my day in the cricketing sun!

Since then, I have traveled up to Valparaiso, a seaside port town about 2 hours north of Santiago. I was feeling decidedly seedy and unsociable after the night before, so opted for a private room in a little odd French owned place called La Bicyclette, or something along those lines. Was a very cute place but the Frenchies staying there were the most antisocial people ever - granted I couldn’t say a word to them and they to me, but I still didn’t like the cut of their jib. Therefore, I have spent my day and a half here on my lonesome and I don’t think ive heard a word of English since I left Santiago, apart from my own of course.

This area is renowned for its unique architecture and design - basically its all about how steep the hills are, and how the hell did they build so much on them. It is incredible just how tiring walking around here is, but it is worth it none the less. The houses are incredible, the views over the port spectacular, and the workout on your calves second to none. See photos below. I watched another game of soccer in a small bar last night which was great as well. They just love their football over here so much, and it is so different to watching the English Premier League, or god forbid, the A League. They are so much more attacking in what they do, and dont even bother protecting a lead, which i love. On the downside, the amount of diving is second to none, and the Chileans watching are very proud of their players when they fall over in the box and get a penalty!

I also went on a small day trip today to the nearby beach town called Vina Del Mar. Wasn´t exactly Manly or Bondi, but i´m sure it has its moments. The weather wasn’t the best, so I am blaming that on the lack of atmosphere etc. I did have a great donar kebab though at a small restaurant. I couldn’t resist and im glad I didn’t because it was delicious - so much garlic sauce!

Tonight I head off at 10pm to Mendoza in Argentina which I am looking forward to. Is apparently the wine capital of the area so I might have a drink or two. I will probably stay there 3 or so days before heading down to the Lakes District of Argentina.

Until then

---

Videos from "Chi Chi Chi, Le Le Le, Viva Chile!":

---

---