Time Suites And Apartments Chi Las Condes

... was also mixed with a sad bitterness for the role that the United States played in the coup led by Pinochet. That bitterness is undeniably felt through out this country, and it is something that will always separate us from the Chilean friends we make here. We will make friends, and the leaders of this program have already proven to us how amiable and genuine the Chilean people are. However, I can't shake the feeling that I am an outsider in a nation that cannot help but view ...

... I wasn't about to ditch plans to study abroad, and I had already applied to ISA. I emailed them quickly with a desperate cry for reassurance as I asked them to change my application to a program in Valparaíso, Chile where all the classes would be taught in Spanish. Much better for my major and my conscience.

 After months of paperwork, fingerprints, immunizations, applications, and appointments, I sat comfortably in my ...

... and the usual Catholic gawdy decorations. That night we hit the hostel bar with Lizzie and Chris and got a little too carried away with the obscenely cheap vodka and cokes! Was a very funny night making the next day not too great!!
After a great 4 days in Santiago we were ready to leave and very excited about travelling to the northern desert region of Chile.

Next stop: Atacama Desert !!

Lots of Love and hope you're all well xxx

... day as the area we were staying in was full of cool graffiti and murals which will make excellent fodder for a mural photo montage type thingy. At this stage we had become way too excited about going to New Zealand to function normally let alone do any activities, so we did nothing. We went to the airport a mere 4 hours ahead of our flight and despite our excitment we were a little sad to be leaving Latin America.

Still driving north along the Pan American highway...we saw the end of this beast when we were in Ushuaia ...covers 2 continents, 13 National borders and 25, 712 KM! And still our big yellow truck drives along it! Santiago, the capital city of Chile was lovely and suprisingly really hot! Out came the summer clothes from the bottom of our bags...we haven`t seen these since Brazil it feels like! We had a nice centrally located hotel which was a lovely change to have ...

... grab my stuff, and hop in a cab where I immediately fell asleep. Then I fell asleep at the terminal and nearly missed my flight. Then I fell asleep on the airplane and didn´t even know that we had taken off by the time we landed. Then I fell asleep in the Lima airport, but woke up in plenty of time for my flight to Cusco. Then I fell asleep at my hostel. That brings me to Cusco! Am going on a 4 day hike to Machu Picchu tomorrow, so wish me luck!

... special Christmas menu - a bargain at $37 CAD, which barely gets you an entree at most nice places in Calgary. Ben and I decided to be pigs and strike out on our own. However ... I tried some of Ha´s golden mero fillet - incredible! Juicy, flavourful ... I really regretted not having the set menu instead, as everyone else seemed to enjoy their meal much more than I did. Unlucky with my ordering, I guess!

... we came on this type of trip because we can't speak Spanish! The day did improve though, as the next National Park we had our own English speaking guide and travelled in 4 by 4's through the park, looking at various formations and evidence of previous civilisations including drawings on the rocks. The best bit however was an area where we could shout and get an echo back several times. That night we managed to put our tents up in the heavy wind and camped in the park. (I didn't actually ...

... Got that far, couldn't hear and drinking or general merriment and started to worry. Saw a boy wandering aimlessly in the kitchen, said to him "Hey you! Where's the beer??" He did a "follow me" gesture with his index finger so off we went like 3 sheep through the back garden and into this dingy building that looked like a HUGE shed. Lo and behold.... the bar!!!! needless to say we plonked ourselves down beside the lads and got straight into the drinking games. We had some ...

... of Chile and see where we would end up. We headed north to Valpariso and Vina De Mar. In Valpariso we stayed in the old part of town on top of the hill. Naturally the hostel we stayed at was right on top of the hill we eventually found it. There were only four people staying in the hostel, the two of us and two quite cute girls from Norway Linn and Merete. After checking in Mat and I went out and walked around the ...