Primer día en la ciudad

We are back from our first wander around Santiago.  It's a fun place.  Lots of people spoke to us, which was strange and un-British, but it did give me plenty of chance to practice "I don't understand, I'm sorry, we are English".  Although, looking back, I think I was saying "you are English", which illustrated my point better anyway.

Language aside, we saw the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral of Saint James himself, the local mercado where they sold all manner of fish, fruit, etc. and where the metal roof was made in Birmingham.  We got to several shopping centres, navigated a toilet you had to pay 350 pesos to use, joined a student strike, saw the oldest church in the city, bought and ate empanadas, and walked to the top of Santa Lucia hill and back.  This is meant to be a holiday!  Tomorrow I'm going to stay inside and watch Spanish soap operas...

Busy at the central Plaza de Armas.

Pedro de Valdivia, first governor of Chile.  As he was a Spanish conquistador I'm not sure how democratic that election was.

In contrast, here's a fountain dedicated to the snappily named Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, the Venezuelan military leader pivotal in Latin America's bid for independence.  It's independence day here on 18th September, and it's one of the few countries not to celebrate independence from Britain!  Hooray!

Hannah maps out the day.

It's a tourist information booth that is actually a Segway!  It moves around and everything!  How cool is that?

The cathdral of Santiago, in the Plaza de Armas.

Inside it's pretty impressive too.

Here's Santiago!

Chile is the longest and thinnest country in the world!  So Hannah and I feel at home.

The Chilean military's finest (and youngest).

The Tribunales de Justicia.  Court house, I think.

Enjoying a cheese empanada.

The Palacio de la Moneda, where the el presidente lives.

Pretty ponies.

Santiago also boasts a population of semi-wild dogs, who roam about, quite politely, wait for the lights to change before crossing the road, etc.  And sleep in the sun.

The Paseo Bulnes, and it's easy to see the southern European influence everywhere around here.

The students are on strike!  It's something to do with tuition fees, of course.  Being a theology student, I'm not sure anyone would have noticed the difference between me studying or striking...

The church of San Francisco, the oldest in Chile.

Looking down on the beautiful gardens of Santa Lucia, a park on a hill right in the middle of the city.

Half-way up.

Finally I stop feeling like the tallest person around here.

We sat and watched the moon rise over the Andes.  That's something you don't see every day.

Bienvenido a Santiago

Are airline seats getting smaller? Not even a herbal placebo sleeping pill could get me through an uncomfortable night, but we arrived this morning in one piece.  Then we had to wait an hour for our bags to be fumigated, but avoided the $140 entrance fee because we're British and the Chilean government likes us. Pete was very kindly at the airport to meet us, and drove us back through a rapidly expanding Santiago for a delicious breakfast with Fini and baby Pepita.  It was 11am by this point - we've already gone Latin with our timekeeping.

After a long session of gossip about good old Berkeley, and the chance to take a shower, Silvi and Ignacio arrived and kidnapped us for a trip to Ignacio's parents for lunch (3.30pm - still Latin).  I was able to roll out some of the Spanish I've been working on so diligently at the gym ("please", "thank you", "where is the bathroom?").  I think everyone was quietly impressed.  A barbecue was planned for later, but poor Raimundo has come down with tonsillitis!  We wandered around the financial district instead, and will hopefully catch up tomorrow.

Santiago is an amazing city, surrounded by the Andes to the east and smaller ranges the rest of the way around.  They're building what's going to be the tallest structure in South America, and the government is aiming to eradicate poverty by 2020.  Pete drove us through the brand new road tunnel under much of the downtown, and we saw plenty of new home construction on the way out to Ignacio's parents.  Chile is happening in every way.

Here's the city, and there are the mountains.

First breakfast.

Pepita will take a little time to warm up to my inestimable charms. 

A typical Santiago, unposed picture.  Everyone here goes around looking this good!

My first pisco sour, with Ignacio.  Salud!

The family Larrain (missing several brothers and sisters).

 

Ignacito, almost smiling.

Hannah coaches a future Haas MBA.

Just like home!

Looking down through the financial district at the future tallest tower.

Chilean drivers - crazy.

Book at bedtime.

P.S. This happens to be my 800th post!  Thank you, faithful readers.

Southerly direction

After negotiating a bizarre American Airlines check-in procedure, during which the employee became confused over whether I should be proving my intention to return to the USA or England, we've made it to Dallas! With temperatures at 99F, Texas is a little like Walnut Creek. We tried to find some BBQ but they closed early, so burritos it was.

Now our plane is at the gate and I'm waiting for us to be called for our inevitable free upgrade to first class. Although I'm not too worried - I have my eye mask, ear plugs, and melatonin happy pills to keep me comotose throughout. Its not like American Airlines could mix a British Airways quality G&T anyway...

Sorry, just passing through this time.

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Winter opening hours

The Davies Motel closed its doors today on a successful summer season, with a marked improvement in customer satisfaction over last year.  Our final guests, Mat and Alana, are now enjoying Virgin Atlantic's hospitality somewhere over Manitoba.  They've packed everything in since Vegas, visiting the Asian Art Museum, Alcatraz, Angel Island, several thousand shops, a brewery tasting, and our own Walnut Creek SF Creamery for ice cream (every day)!  We send them back to England satisfied, slightly sun burnt, and somewhat heavier than when they arrived.

The proprietors are now taking a short break in the southern hemisphere, and our autumn program begins in late-October with the arrival of Mum and Sheila.  Book early to avoid disappointment!

A quick recap with some of Alana's pics:

It's Mojito Monday at Havana restaurant.

A new fan at the A's game.

CU Sushi's "Green Monster".

Yes, Caesar's Palace has swim-up blackjack tables.  Alana was sneakier than me getting a shot.

Classy.

No idea.

Mathew enjoys a plush seat at Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity.

Alana auditions for the same.  Or is telling Mat to keep quiet.

Shocked by American portion sizes.

Shut the door!

Enjoying a coffee in Haight Ashbury.

Segway pilots.

After that, a stiff drink in SF.

Hanging out.

Walking off into the sunset.

And one (or ten) for the road at the Pyramid Brewery tasting tour.

Back on two wheels

The Segway tour is now an integral part of staying with us.  Well, it is until our 1/2 price Yelp vouchers run out.  Today it was Mat and Alana's turn, back to Golden Gate Park which involves a few more off-road challenges than the centre of town one.  The weather was the usual, but we were treated to some nice flower displays at this time of year.  Next time we'll be signing up for the advanced tour.

Their steeds await.

Mat: tentative.

Alana goes for it.

An old pro.

Ready to go!

Down in front of the dahlias.

We celebrated no injuries with a trip to the rather strange Tonga Room.  This is Alana and me enjoying a Lava Bowl.  Hmmm.

Goodbye, old friend

I had a dream when I moved to this country.  It was a dream of bettering myself through hard work and determination and so improving my low position in society.  The dream also featured a pick-up truck, a firearm, and a La-Z-Boy.

So far, only one part of that dream has come true.  During my first few days in this new land I wandered into a charity shop with Amanda (having met her, for the second time ever, on a bus) and there it was: a genuine La-Z-Boy reclining love seat.  I knew I had to have it, especially when Amanda demonstrated the fully reclined extra comfy position.

I don't recall how we got it up to our third floor apartment, but it must have been a struggle as every time I've attempted to move it since it has required three of us.  Shauli claims he owns a significant share of it given how many times he's helped shift it.  It has been the much-loved centrepiece of each of our apartments but, sadly, shockingly, today I had to wave it goodbye.

No, it doesn't match any of our stuff that arrived from England, and it has been occupying a position right in front of our sliding doors onto the balcony, absorbing around 70% of all light that shines through.  Whenever I've mentioned its impending departure to friends and family they have reacted with disbelief and disgust.  I can't argue!  It is possibly the most comfortable thing ever created.

But all is not lost!  Rather than donating La-Z back to a thrift store, or setting it on fire Viking-style, or simply dropping it into the swimming pool, it was moved to...Walnut Hill Apartment's Club House!  Yes, any time I or any visitors are missing it we can take a short stroll across the complex and enjoy the superior sofa's warm and soft cheek-cushioning embrace.

Negotiations with Hannah are ongoing as to whether I'm now allowed to buy my truck now.

I think it blends in well, but...

Florin, our maintenance manager, kindly helped me shift it for one last time.

And here the 'Boy is in its new home!  And it matches the decor very nicely.

After all that hard work it was time for a rest.  How convenient!

---

Just how central has this seemingly unremarkable inanimate object been to our lives?  Well, if you will permit me to saunter down memory lane...

My entire relationship with Amanda is based on this one moment.

Dad approves of my purchase.

So does Mum, although she greedily takes up both seats!

It was the backdrop to many important celebrations.

Party central!

A safe, secure place to leave a child.

Not quite so safe and secure when four children are involved.

What more does a room need?  There's now a La-Z-Boy shaped hole in my heart.