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Published: January 5th 2009
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You'll recall from my previous post that I mentioned I was going to go the beach this weekend with some friends. I went - and, it was overall, a really good time! However, there are some interesting points to highlight!!!!
It started on Saturday morning, when I boarded a bus to the coast. It was actually a nice bus ride, and cheap - coming in at just over $3 for a one-way trip. The drive was really pretty, passing the Andes and getting great views of the coast and country-side on the way!
We made our first stop to dis-board passengers and I started to get a little bit nervous as it clearly didn't look like the beaches of South Florida or the Mexican Riviera that I am accustomed to. You will see in my pictures that there was a lovely 'theme park' at the first stop where, for a mere $125 pesos, you could climb a sand dune and sled down it - yes, sledding even in the middle of the summer! I was temped to get out and try it, but when I say that the taxi was a flat-bed truck with funky lawn-chair type seats, I
opted to stay on the bus.
Ok, we continued to drive for another hour or so and, it looked a bit more like a habitable town. There were stores, lots of people, pretty beach, etc. We arrived at Algarrobo at about 9:00 at night, got our luggage out of the hatch, and proceeded to the 'taxi stand' which was an old man, who for, 100 pesos would call you a taxi. Mind you, there was no other option as we were in the middle of no where. It was dark, so I couldn't see much, but I knew we were deep in the middle of the boonies - - - dirt roads and all!
We arrived at the house which was simple, to say the least. It was hand build by the grandpa of the friend of Juan, who's mother owns it. So, that is pretty notable I think and it has all of the basics - bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, electricity, and running water- wait, did I say running water??? I lied! I had talked to Juan the day before and I thought he had told me that there was no water in the house (my
Spanish is still fuzzy) but I thought, no, that can't be. . . he must have meant the water isn't potable and we'd have to drink bottled- yes, I thought that's it. So, we arrived at the house, sort of settled in, and I got ready to take my contacts out. When I got to the bathroom to wash my hands - my fears came true - nothing came out of the sink! EEK!!!!! All of the plumbing was in place but, no water came IN to the house. Oh well, there was at least a toilet. . . which worked like a port-a-potty since it couldn't be flushed. I later found out that Eduardo's dad died before he finished the house which is the reason for the lack of plumbing. . . and walls.
As you can see from the pictures, that the little town was interesting to say the least. But, it appears even though it looks rough, people from the city like to live a bit meagerly in order to espace the big city life! I will stay in my condo w/ a pool . . . but hey, that's just me!
When it was
time for bed, I was awake most of the night by the sounds of wildlife and the next morning, was awoken by the sound of a diesel truck . . . THE WATER! YAY!!!! Once the water arrived, things weren't much better- I still had to pee in a toilet that wouldn't flush, take a 'shower' in a bucket, and brush my teeth in a coffee mug! But, I didn't really care - I was spending the day at the beach anyway - who needs to be clean?!
The beach was really pretty! The waves were huge - probably the biggest waves I have ever seen! But, the water was FREEZING!!!! I didn't expect that! I decided, after much debate, that I would only spend the one night in the lovely beach home and headed back to Santiago tonight about 7PM where I could take a shower and - not get eaten alive by mosquitoes!
Now that you've read about my exciting weekend I want to say, that despite the bugs, lack of water, dirt roads, etc, it really wasn't that bad! It was quaint, to say the least, but more intriguing that anything to get a glimpse
at how different people live! I had fun, but next time I am invited to the beach, I'll be booking a hotel!!!!!
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Kathy
non-member comment
You crack me up!
I just got caught up with your blog. I'm dying here laughing at your comments. Janet asked if the beach house was your apartment. RIGHT!!! You are on one long adventure. Reminds me a little of when I lived in Spain, but I worked on an American Base and could get American product at the commissary. You have it rougher. Have you been to a butcher shop? They didn't refrigerate the meat in those days but put them on slabs of marble. I can remember primarily during the holidays that they would have dead rabbits hanging from hooks near the cajito - not sure if that's the word you used for cash register. I'm reliving my experience through you. Take care. I miss you!