Santiago

From the Elqui Valley by bus I passed some mediterranean looking villages on the way to Vicuna, a non descript town but from where I was going to get the next overnight bus to Santiago, the capital of Chile. Arriving in Santiago just after 6am I struggled to even get a Cappachino at the bus station, simple things like this which previously in Ecuador and Peru I had no problem. In Chile they speak so fast and as I was having to rely on my spanish more I was coming across more difficulties. Also if you are speaking to someone who has never learnt another language they do not understand the idea of key words just thrown together, with incorrect grammer.

I loved Santiago and it´s lively friendly vibe. It is clean, spacious with good green spaces, parks, numerous statues and monuments and has a retro, arty and cosmopolitan feel with plenty of colonial buildings to see and museums to visit. The weather was beautiful, hot and sunny and the people happy, friendly, polite and very helpful. It is a very fashionable city and I enjoyed observing the varying fashions of passers by whilst sipping good coffee outside street cafes. In the city I found the prices much the same as those at home and in general Chile is the most expensive of the South American countries but it is the most developed and organised of which I was thankful for at this point. The younger generation speak more english and seemed to be greatful of the chance to practice their english. They are very proud of their country although my friend was telling me how as a nation they are still trying to find their identity as they are a population of many different nationalities.

I had booked into a great hostel in a great area in the ´Bella Vista´ area. With a lively atmosphere and funky arty decor this popular hostel was a great place to meet people. Leighanne (a girl who I had just met) and I walked around town visiting boutiques, cafes and the well known seafood restaraunts housed within the huge fish market, the building of which was made in the UK. We sat on the roof patio enjoying the warm pleasent summer evening before heading out at 12pm with others from the hostel to go clubbing.
The DJ played ´poppy´ mainstream house and hip hop but annoyingly kept mixing too frequently! None the less, I managed to feel a vibe and was surprised to have a whole stage to myself! On my second visit to the stage I was ushered down by security....that´s why none of the locals had the inclination to get up there! Oh well I enjoyed it whilst it lasted.

The next morning after only a few hours sleep I awoke to the realisation that I had to pack and check out of my hostel! Without my bags I got the metro to the bus station to book yet another overnight bus journey. The metro much cleaner, more spacious and less hot than that of London with fans that spray a fine mist of water into the air aswell! It was easy to navigate and super efficient and once again I was impressed with Chile. I spent the rest of the day further exploring the city, visiting another park and finding a menu with cous cous and vegetables, a meal I commonly have at home of which I had been missing greatly!
My bus didn´t leave until midnight, at which time the station was still bustling with buses coming and going. I was so impressed with the efficiency and the popularity of the bus transport. With two drivers who share the many hours of driving, the present co driver practicaly tucks you in for the night, closing all the curtains and handing you a pillow and a blanket as the lights go off!