Santiago is a beautiful city. A massive metropolis of 6 million bustling inhabitants nestled between the Andes to the east and the small coastal mountains to the west.
The first thing you notice besides the traffic and people are the gorgeous snow capped Andes that completely dwarf the city. The second thing you notice is that because this city is situated in a valley - there is no circulation of air. The smog is completely trapped within the city. This apparently creates huge respiratory problems in the children and the elderly causing the Santiagians to contemplate fitting the Andes with explosives and blowing a hole to let the smog out into Argentina. A view that was poo-pooed by most people but not by the man (Pepo) we are fortunate enough to be staying with who happens to be in the explosives industry. The third thing I noticed was that nobody speaks English and so my Spanish lessons have had to be stepped up to high gear. No hablo Espanol (I dont speak Spanish) is often met with a flurry of Spanish to which Rod informs me that everyone is saying that I must learn to speak Spanish. Righto - I also have realised this - it really sucks to be unable to speak to Pepo´s children or even his maid (yes, maid).
But other than that - I´m having a really groovy time and just marvel at how similar the Chileans (in Santiago) are to the Westerners. I feel right at home here - except for the Spanish there hasnt been too much culture shock at all. I´m even being indoctrinated into the timeless art of Pisco-liando - summarised as the downward process of drinking the national drink of Pisco. And man these guys can drink. We went to a club on Thursday night and when you order a pisco and cola they give you an entire cup full. I was incredibly trashed after 3 glasses. The following day apparently you deal with the next part of the pisco process which we call a hangover. Tonight is our last night in this town and we are being taken around to some clubs by Ilse - Pepo´s beautiful wife. Tomorrow we are off to see some of Rod´s family in a small coastal town where we shall indulge in sun and seafood my favourite things. Chao!
