Lyon Apart Hotel Santiago

... in place from the winning party. This week was the turn of the rubbish collectors and hence the city was covered in rubbish until they got their 2% pay rise.

Having disembarked the funicular at the top of the cliff, the trio headed past a rather nice looking restaurant overlooking the docks. “That’s a very expensive restaurant” said Jorges, “I can recommend you some cheaper options when we get to the hostel”. After a couple of minutes brisk walk ...

... what I do in my sleep! Probably just look cool like I do when I am awake!

Our next stop was Pucon, which by the way is a wonderful little town and we were fortunate enough to pick an amazing hostel...more like a family home stay than a classic hostel experience, loved every minute.....anyhow, to use a common cricketing term, "rain stopped play" for the first two days we were there. This was most annoying, but it gave Jacque a chance to practice a little guitar and I read a ...

... br>
Then the drive back provided us with a fantastic sunset, and we topped off the day with a few cold beers back at the house. Great day! Thanks to Felipe, Cristobal and Jeremy - cheers guys!

A BBQ in the country
Shortly after the ski day, was quickly followed by another great day. This time myself and Jeremy were invited to a family and friends BBQ out in the countryside. In a place called Catemu, which is where the family own a second home and ...

... was recommended for ice cream by Revolver, the online going out magazine published by the English language Santiago Times. It's a great resource for things to do and places to eat/drink in Santiago. I tried chocolate peppercorn ice cream and it was good but too rich for a whole scoop. I got a mix of orange ginger and green tea mango. I ate it outside looking onto the Parque Forestal, thinking of how to remake these ice cream flavors ...

... here are oneway too. The street signs have arrows on them to show you which was the traffic is going. I suppose it is a good idea because it keeps congestion down by eliminating blockages while waiting for someone turning across traffic, but if you donīt know the city very well you could get into trouble navigating around. Tomorrow I am being picked up at 8am to head off to Volcan San Jose. (san jose ...

... for 4 hours. It would be to everyones liking - its certainly doesn't present a neutral view (but everything is put fairly into context) - and I guess some people don't want to hear about such serious and awful things whilst on holiday, but if you want something different I highly recommend it. Last night I ate at "Astrid & Gaston" - supposedly one of the best restaurants in Santiago (and many other places in Latin America). Gaston is a Peruvian celebrity chef ...

... here... Later that night, we had to miss the inter-hostel soccer game =( to meet Sebastian to see the apartment again and get the keys. We enjoyed a relaxing evening hanging out at the hostel... we were introduced to terremotos, cocktails made with pisco liquor and pineapple ice cream... very yummy... but then we were forced to take double shots of pisco... oh geez... Michael was nice enough to take my second one for me... I'm such a baby.

Well, I safely made it to Santiago. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my 3 friends. I am staying at Hostel Forestal. The rooms are incredibly tiny and the communal shower is not the cleanest. Anyway, Santiago is very warm in February. I guess there must be something to that whole southern hemispere thing. I will post back later about the toilets. Anyway just wanted to get this set up tonight I will try and post more tomorrow. Adios, Mateo

Since getting back from Peru I've started volunteering 40 hours/week at the Casa de Guaguas, a home for children under 2 who have been removed from their families for some reason or another. Currently there are 12 babies living there, and each day is filled with feedings, diaper changes, trips to the doctor (which include me driving the manual van..always fun), and basically playing mommy to them. Although it takes almost 2 hours each way from my house to get there, it is always ...