Query from November 2014 re 1997 My son and I met Laura late in 1997. She used to take us all out to dinner each night from her pension. We had good times and lots of really good musical sessions at the various restaurants. Sorry to chip in after so many years, are you still on line?
Query from November 2014 re 1997 My son and I met Laura late in 1997. She used to take us all out to dinner each night from her pension. We had good times and lots of really good musical sessions at the various restaurants. Sorry to chip in after so many years, are you still on line?
Still around... Hi Peter,
Thanks for the comments. Yes, I'm still around, though not blogging as you can see.
When I read back some of my blogs now, years later, some of them are a little on the harsh side, bordering on offensive. I think I'll have to go back and edit them at some point! That's what growing up, marrying and having children does I think...!
Yes, Laura was a wonderful and unforgettable host, with a slight penchant for a tipple... I didn't stay there too long, and there wasn't much going on to be honest but it was a memorable stay all the same...
Jamie
Query from November 2014 re 1997 My son and I met Laura late in 1997. She used to take us all out to dinner each night from her pension. We had good times and lots of really good musical sessions at the various restaurants. Sorry to chip in after so many years, are you still on line?
Panagea Estancia Uruguay Hi Jamie,
I'd love to get a hold of the Panagea Estancia in Uruguay. Do you have their number or any other contact information?
Silvia
I'm just about to fly with Iberian tomorrow, going from London to Madrid, then Madrid to Quito. This article has made me slightly worried. I'm going to try to get a guitar on board as my hand luggage. Although it's small, I think it's 5 cm over the height limit. Hopefully they won't try to charge me the £35 fee. It would be a disappointing way to start.
Crap service from iberian airways Flight cancellation 9th of January 2009, Snow at Madrid we know Iberian airways are not to blame for the weather however they are legally responsible for the passengers, I was told at 5-15pm that the desk would close there was still hundreds of people in a cue we had been stood in for 3-30minutes, we were given no information and no assistance which they are entitled to by law, now the thieving scum bags are refusing to give back the money for the flight, saying we should have gone to the desk which we were told by a badge wearing iberian staff member was closing, the worst airlines I have the displeasure to fly with
'Anonymous'? Obviously. Mr anonymous, have ever you flown with Iberia? They´re known on a world scale for their bad attitude, incredible incompetence and poor, poor customer relations and service...
And did I go all the way to Antigua to watch a 'soccer' match? You are joking, aren't you? Read the rest of the blogs ... fails me too.
I try to look at these places and experiences objectively - I don't trick myself and my consciouness into believing it's all great and 'awsome' and the culture, music, food and people are all fantastic just because I've paid a hefty sum of money to be there. That would be completely irrational.
If things are not what you expect, why not say so?
Yes, it's bad... Yes, Kari, it is really bad...
Okay, I was referring specifically to the Transantiago and maybe exaggerating a little but just ask Chilenos here about the Transantiago - it's a horrble, horrible way to travel... they have been let down badly by the Gov and the older system was infinitely better.. (routes, efficiency, cost, comfort - albeit with smog-spewing buses) and the knock on effect has been that now the Metro is saturated at most hours. People squeezing in like sardines...
Nowhere in the article did I say that I don't like Chile, but I will say that Santiago is a very unpleasant place to live - quality of life is inexistent. Its problems are deep and long... People don't jokingly call it Santiasco for nothing.
Jamie
worst public transportation!? I am quite surprized to see you say Santiago has the worst public transportaion system... I found the Metro effecient and clean and the bus system, while crazy and crowed while I was living there, was quite thorough as far as route. Perhaps I am comparing this to a city completely lacking in public transportation, but I do not know how you can say it is the worst. Very sorry you have not enjoyed your time in CHile. I fell in love with it and am in fact returning this Christmas to show my boyfriend around. Take care
Felicidades Hola Jamie, estuve mirando tu blog ahora porque quiero irme a Colombia en junio. Yo estuve en Las saltos de Petrohue tambien, y en las islas de Chiloe, y por alla- tengo muy buenas recuerdos. Y es verdad que llueve como que si fuera Irlanda o Galles!
Nice one on getting engaged- that's not a very long engagement is it? Hope you don't spend the rest of your life in Santiago though- I was there too and ended up in Valparaiso around New Year too! The noise and smog got to me in Santiago...
Any recommendations for me in Colombia (before I trawl through all your blogs trying to find Colombia)?
Que tengas buenas classes de ingles,
Helen
lo mate ,nice to hear from you( been a long time )i"ve just read you"re getting married nice one ( can"t believe quiet jamie from the gear lab is getting hitched) all the best to you both. give me a ring when you get back to wales we can go out for a pint. mike
Well Done! As always, a well written piece. With your appreciation for the beers, perhaps a home-brewing operation should be considered? I have been brewing for some time now and aside from some residual kidney issues because of an early bout wtih E-Coli O157:H7, things are great. My Hefeweizen is fantastic.
Congrats on the engagement thing. I appreciate your take on the experiences with all the preparations; I know first hand as I am all engaged to tie the knot. I will be getting married on 25 May in Edinburgh, Scotland. Whisky tasting two days prior - marathon participation the morning of and wedding reception that evening --- perfect! Hope all continues well - Your Guatemalean roommate.
Dave.
inglich an espanish i've really enjoyed your journals, especially the ones from your return to chile (i read your original jounal entereries on chile long ago). i'm a chilean who's grown up in the US and may at some point return to chile with my gringa woman so it's been very eye opening to read your attempts at landing a job (my woman is the career-person in our relationship). i'm an interpreter (span-eng) so i reckon i'd be looking for work in a similar field if and when i ever live in santiago again (my family left before i turned 2, i'm 32 now). there's another young man from new zealand whose blog i read this week who's almost in the same boat as you. anyway, keep your chin up. congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding. you're "part of the chilean family" now ;) . i look forward to reading more updates on your life in the future. like the chilean government propaganda says, "piensa positivo" (thumbs up). cheers!
Jajajaja.... Great entry Jamie. Made me smile, will have to get mam and dad over here to show them. The videos are cool too, Jess is a great dancer! The boys enjoyed watching it, but asked who the lady was! (President). All our love to you and Jessica, we miss you so much, but glad that you are living your dream xx Speak soon xx Love you x
great jamie another well written blog there fella,and it sounds like you are having a great time.your girl looks great and i wish you both all the very best for the future.
showed one of the fellas in belfast they loved it.
speak again as im on a 10 min break
Cheers! Thanks for the messages everyone...
I am here now (in Chile) and it´s going great. The apartment´s lovely, Jess´family are great, and the food is estupendous, I could´ve come for that alone!
Good luck Steve and Jo with your second child, I wish you all the best. I have never actually been to France as yet, i just met up with Jessica in Spain and Italy last year. But I did eat frogs´legs once in a restaurant in Chesterfield. That´s as close as I came.
Abrazos de Santiago de Chile...
Jamie
come to my party Hi, Gonzales...
On 11th of June 2006 I am having a party in my house. I will be 40. Almost all gearlab will be here. If you are here come along.
Jesus, Pazzy, that's gutter talk... Thanks for the message fella,
it won't be long now before I am home and back on the mean and not-so-clean streets of the Eastside, rocking in the free world once more.
Keep the faith...
jamie
It's now 2011.
Wow, how 'time passes' as Dylan T once remarked, twice, in 'Under Milkwood'.
Jessica and I are now proud parents to Carys Francisca and we are living in Swansea, Wales, my home city. Jessica is learning her trade in motherhood and the vagaries of Swansea slang and twang and English in general. I am working in the steel industry and am a current undergraduate on a Manufacturing Systems degree program.
Since the last travelblog I haven't written anything but I hope to do so soon... I still dream of putting all my South American adventures into a book and hopefully that dre... full info
Peter Brett
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Query from November 2014 re 1997
My son and I met Laura late in 1997. She used to take us all out to dinner each night from her pension. We had good times and lots of really good musical sessions at the various restaurants. Sorry to chip in after so many years, are you still on line?