The Great Chilean Escap(ad)e

I arrived in Santiago de Chile only two days ago, and I leave tomorrow. I don't want to. This city--just like La Paz, though very much unlike La Paz--is probably a place I could live. Its just got that feel to it. Santiago is a beautiful city. The streets are clean, the metro runs quick and efficiently, mountains are scattered all around, palm trees sway as much as palm trees can, and of course, its summer here. The days start at 6AM and the sun doesn't go down until 9:30PM. I have to constantly remind myself that its not summer in Seattle, or else I would get home sick again--really fast. As you all know, there is something that the smell of sun screen does to a person... I think liberating might describe it. Then again, maybe its just the fact that I'm not in higher altitudes anymore.

The costs have changed dramatically as well, which has been the biggest shock to my constantly blown mind. Food here, costs more than it does on the Ave. Beer as well. Wine, definitely not as expensive as the US. In fact, a bottle of wine, costs about as much as a botter of water. Somehow, no Chileans have purple mouths--as far as I have seen.

My flight landed alright on what I think was Tuesday (I have no concept of time), or new year´s eve. Thanks to LAN Airlines, I was able to avoid a mandatory $100 reciprocity fee as a result of a quick stopover and run through customs in Iquique, which helped me relax a little with regards to finances. Feeling pretty good about dodging the hundred dollar bullet, I walked out in search of a cab to take me to the center...

So this kid is ultra persistent about trying to get me to take his compartido--a shared van. Of course, he isn't trying to get anybody else to join in (which would make the cost cheaper), but he tells me that the cost is 8 USD. I tell him to wait for me, as I need to do some things before I leave... On the way out, I ask him about a dozen questions to make sure he is legit, ask a security guard, he says the guy is legit, and we agree on the $8 price tag. While we are driving to the center of town, he proceeds to tell me it is 20,000 Chilenos which is equivalent to 8 USD--even though it freaking ISN'T!!! It is, in fact, 40 USD. Though, I never agreed to it... I knew what he was trying to do beforehand, but it was confirmed as a result of this lie. We got to the hostel and I told him that I'd pay inside. We got inside and I handed him $10, and told him to keep the change. He looked at me, and told me it was 20,000 Chileno Pesos. I then proceeded to tell him that I wasn't an idiot, that I knew he was lying, and that since he lied he was only going to get eight bucks. He, of course, wasn't too happy about it. The management of the ultra sweet Andes Hostel stepped in, told him he was an idiot for thinking that all tourists are morons and to take the $10 or they would call the cops. This kid--Paulo was his name in case you are in Santiago--was frustrated, but got what he deserved in the end for lying. Hopefully, the next time he tries to trick a tourist, he is either more clever, or even better, honest. I then proceeded to take a nap, and get ready for New Year's Eve.

I just chilled at the hostel, had a few beers, ate some guacamole (which is served with absolutely everything, even soup), and passed out shortly after the fireworks. I woke up the next morning to find that everything in the ENTIRE city was closed. I can't overstate this enough... EVERYTHING. There was not a single soul on the streets on January 1st. It was unbelievable. I took advantage of it, learned the tram system, and walked around for a good 10 hours.

I pretty much did the same today, except I had my shot at a completo--a footlong hot dog with kraut, mustard, relish, guacamole, mayonnaise, and probably more. It may have been the grossest thing I have ever eaten, but hey, when in Rome... Maybe I should have gone to a Chilean winery and gotten to know their exclusive Camanere--a varietal wiped out in the rest of the world by some fungus, I believe. I didn't though, and won't. It's ok, because tomorrow I go to the wine capital of Argentina--Mendoza--where I can learn all about Malbec...