We got up at 4:00 this morning and caught a taxi to the airport (surfboards sticking out of the boot)! Then we jumped on our 3 hr flight to Santiago and caught another taxi to our hotel. The hotel is lovely, more of a B&B, run by a really friendly guy called Walter who used to run a gallery in the states. As a result the hotel is very cosy and filled with art, it has big comfy beds with nice soft pillows and lots of dogs and cats... we were greeted with a lovely cup of coffee and home made muffins and Walter showed up some good places to see and eat in the city.
Santiago is far more cosmopolitan than any of the cities we have visited so far. The people, the buildings, the architecture, it's really quite beautiful. We just had a lovely bowl of Casuela which is a traditional soup filled with potatoes, rice, beans and meat which just falls off the bone (Dad it's like Grandma Lil's Chicken soup). We walked around Santiago for a few hours this afternoon but were all so tired that it was tough to put one foot in front of the other so we are now back at the hostel, all under the duvet in the massive bed watching a film, we'll drag ourselves up in a couple of hours and go out for tea, either to a crazy Mexican which has been recommended or to the oldest restaurant in Santiago, which I would prefer.
I like Santiago (but it's still expensive - apparently due to the copper trade!) Picture of posh bus attached.
Hi Ruth, Will and Sam, can't believe you're in Santiago already... but it's not really already cos you've seen so much. I'm really impressed as I'm writing this on the same day as you've written, but it's now 9pm here but you guys are probably asleep or even nearly getting up for tomorrow. Thats what I love about the world, it's a different time everywhere, and well this is a silly Sarah thought.
ReplyDeleteAnyway chin up Ruthy my dear. Whenever you feel down like you did remember what you always say to me and, I hasten to add, is always true. It will turn out alright in the end. And the best thing about you Ruth, is you will always see something much rosier than I ever would. So when you worry about where you are going to be in the next place, I know it will be okay and you will love it for what it is. This is an amazing skill in life that I aspire to have. Happy Santiago to you all, hope you went to the oldest restaurant. S. xxx
It's nice to see you looking so much happier. And what a lovely (and typically Sarah) notefrom the beloved 'other daughter'. :>} Sarah, you are a darling, and we love you too. I hope you had a lovely meal last night, and am very glad you are being looked after by the lovely Walter. You will soon be in New Zealand and I have a feeling you will love it there.
ReplyDeleteWith all my love,
Missing you loads,
Mum xxxx
There's a lightness to this post which emphasizes the way you feel about your new surroundings. I know that you were unwell last week but I have a feeling that the Inca spirits were weighing a bit too much on you and it was beginning to to show in your later posts from Peru. Where there was gloom now there is light. Hang the expense and just enjoy the few days you have in Santiago. I am certain it will be worth it for all three of you.
ReplyDeleteLove you
Dad