...I manage to get my dry food and my homemade breakfasts past the ruthless sanitary customs check at the Chilean border. They seem to be impressed by the fact I tried to climb Aconcagua :)
...I arrive in Santiago and as usual I'm in awe of the cleanliness, order and wealth of the country and still not a big fan of the local prices.
...At the same time I how everything works so much better here than in Argentina. I buy a SIM card and have my internet running within 3
minutes of stepping off the bus.
...I enjoy the gigantic Chilean empanadas and the tasty designer beer (at least they got stuff here like wheat, blond, brune etc.)
...I meet old friends (and their new wives :), and we hang out over Chilean asado (barbecue, but different from Argentinean)
...I go for a run for the first time after the Aconcagua debacle and find myself out of breath...
...after which I seek medical advice.
Bad mistake! - a private clinic takes my complaint very seriously and perform a series of tests; 6 hours and €550 later of course they find nothing wrong; Advice: don't go to altitude.
...I make new friends which results in drinking a bizarre Chilean drink "terremoto" (Earthquake), which includes among other things ice cream and wine, and in taking amazing panoramic photos of Santiago from a 28th floor balcony.
...I continuously marvel at the extent to which everything is organized and advanced in this country; regular breathalyzer checks for bus drivers, separate platform exits and entrances and wifi in subway, packet pickup stations like in Germany, city bikes etc.
...I stuff my face with avocados (they're crazy about it) and Chile's exceptional strawberries and learn of the existence of a white variety of this fruit
...I battle unimaginable crowds and heat (36C) in public transportation
...I am impressed by the Costanera Mall with its looming glass tower, Latin America's tallest, aptly nicknamed "the Eye of Sauron"
...I set up my tent (for testing) in front of my friend's building causing fear and suspicion among neighbors
...I catch a flight to Punta Arenas to escape the heat!