Santiago - the modern Latin America

---

Arriving to Santiago from Bolivia was a real eye opener. After we left the airport we had to remind ourselves that we are still in South America as the place looked sooo european to us. Walking through clean streets with cars stopping at red lights and not constantly using their horns.... we were totally confused!!! How do we cross the road again??? You do NOT just step out and pray that you will make the other end?

After a very easy bus and metro ride we reached Pauli´s office. We met Pauli in Rio on a hospitalityclub party and she kindly offered to host us while we are in Santiago. We dropped off our bags and made our way to the nearest cafe to sit down and digest the new surroundings. Quickly we were to find out that the "european feeling" also translated nearly to "european prices" . However, it was nice to be in a place again that had a really good transport system, hardly no bagging and that felt very safe in general.

At Pauli´s we have been introduced to Piscola = Pisco + Cola and later that evening we left for a Hospitalityclub party. On Thursday we had a whole day to experience Santiago in wonderful sunshine. Unfortunatelly after we closed Pauli´s door we realized that the camera was still inside. Despite having the keys, we did not manage to crack the "safety lock" and so had to depart without it. On the way we contacted our friend Felipe, our partner in crime from Buenos Aires (you will have to read that entry to understand 😊 ) , and we arranged to meet for the evening.

In the evening Felipe, his girlfriend Carmen and her friend took us to a fancy bar where we had aphrodiaka dinner 😊)) YUM! After that we hooked up with Pauli and her flatmate Paola at another HC party 😊 As you see it is a real advantage to be part of Hospitalityclub, it becomes your family and friends away from home 😊 If you haven´t yet, check it out!!! www.hospitalityclub.org

On Friday we decided to start preparing ourselves for Patagonia and spent the whole day looking for a decent mounteneering shop. Finally we found one and we equipped ourselves with some sleepingbags and matts. In the evening Felipe proposed to cook dinner at his parents house, which we greately agreed to as we haven´t cooked properly for a long time. On the menu we had Risotto for starter, backed fish with ginger and lime and a salad for main and a trifel for dessert - Oh we do miss our kitchen!!!

Knowing that we will be back in Santiago to catch our flight to New Zealand in a month we decided to leave all non essential stuff at Felipe´s. The next day we headed to the Airport to start our Patagonian adventure in Punta Arenas!

---

Photos

What does Felippe keep under his skirt?
......whatever it is, the girls don't look too impressed :)

Friends drop us off at the airport in Santiago
Leaving South America and friends behind

Comments

[Katerina]

Santiago looks nice
Hi guys! Been looking out for a new entry from you and here it is. Lovely photos, and Santiago sounds nice. Can't believe you are still in Latin America - it's been what, 5 months now? I still reckon you should pop over to Fiji. ;P