Happy Halloween!!!!
Well, today I leave Santiago, and head south to a town called Puerto Varas, also known as the lakes district and the start of Patagonia.
This morning I had the inevitable task of packing the last couple of items into my bag, and then trying to do it up. How I managed to fit everything in, I don't know! However the two zippers were about an inch from coming together, and therefore not allowing them to be locked. For 5 mins they were stuck in this position, not budging. I, on the other hand, was just as stubborn. I have gotten the zips done up this far, there's no way I'm undoing them and repacking. And as if my prayers were answered, wella, they just came together!!! I slammed that padlock on before they had time to rethink, or slide apart. I will really feel sorry for the security guy who decides to search through my bag today, as there is no way in hell he will get the thing done up again!!
With that task behind me, I set off for breakfast. This morning I was greeted at the door, and allowed entry after I rattled off my room number. I found a seat, and set off for my morning staple, coffee. As I am filling my cup, a waiter who was replenishing the coffee cups, turned and looked at me, and said good morning. I said good morning back and he asked where I was from.... Australia I answered. 'Beautiful country', sure is!! It is a very common line, after I tell people where I'm from.... Beautiful country, and then it's usually followed by kangaroo, but not today.
It makes me filled with so much pride, to say that I'm from Australia, especially when I realise just how lucky we are to live there. I really won the lotto calling Australia home, and this trip has just made me realise just how different life could have been, simply depending on what country you were born in.
As I sat down with my coffee and toast, this waiter came around again, and asked where in Australia I was from, I tell him Melbourne and I continue to eat my breakfast, watching people.....as I normally do.
As I go to refill my coffee cup, the waiter reappears out of nowhere, he asks my name, and then proceeds to tell me that I'm the most beautiful woman, and that my eyes are stunning. Wow..... Thanks!!! Nothing quite like some compliments like that to pump up your self confidence in the morning!!! I have to give it to South American men, they don't mince their words. If they see something they like, they go for it. They are not afraid to show their feelings, nor tell a woman how they feel or how beautiful she is, essentially there is no cat and mouse games, no rules of dating, if they like you, they like you and they make it known. I think I like it! Again I thank him, and make it back to my seat, finishing my breakfast and drinking my coffee.
Once I had finished, it was time to leave. As I walk out the door, he was standing there. I said goodbye to him, and he asked how much longer I was in Santiago for. I told him that I leave this morning, and he raises his hand to his chest as if his heart has just been shattered into a thousand pieces. 'That is a shame, I would have loved to have shown you around, are you coming back?' I told him no, and he looked shattered. Where was he yesterday, when I did have a whole day free and would have appreciated a guided tour of Santiago!! We said our goodbyes, and I headed back to my room to grab my bags and made my way down to the lobby for my transfer to the airport.
I waited for 5 mins, and then I heard a man call my name.... this is my transfer to the airport. I jump in the brand new, very nice car, and we begin driving through the peak hour traffic and out of the city.
As we drive through the city, I notice all of the activities planned for Halloween. They have people dressed up on the street, stands giving out balloons, there are sound checks for concerts, Chile really takes their Halloween celebrations serious.
We finally break free of the traffic in Santiago, and continue to drive towards the airport through the suburbs. The driver seems to have taken a different route to the airport this morning, and it seems a lot longer than the other day. However, after a while, I see the airport sign, that tells me we are heading in the right direction, and not off to some bush land to my gristly end!!!
I am dropped off at the entry way, and I make my through, firstly to check in, and then through security. After a couple of hours waiting, it is time to board my flight.
I am lining up, ready to board the plan. Firstly a young man walks by, checking my passport against my ticket. He highlights Puerto Montt, my final destination, and leaves me in the line, as he continues to check those people behind me.
Then a second young lady walks up I me. She has spotted my big cabin bag, and questions it's size. I know it's under the 8kg, however in Spanish she picks up my bag an motions me to follow her. Having no choice, I watch as she heads towards the dreaded cabin bag checker. The one, where you need to place your bag in, to see if it fits the dimensions as well as the weight, the one that no one is ever seen putting their bag in, unless targeted by airline staff. Well, today it was my turn. I placed it in the holder, and I had to squeeze it down a little, but it fit. But, she wasn't happy with that. She started speaking to me in Spanish, and well we know how well that went!! So in the end, she got another passenger to explain to me, that I would need to leave my bag at the plane door..... what??? I watched as she placed a tag on my bag and motioned me to walk towards the plane. As I got on the plane, I asked the air hostess what the tag meant, she said that I needed to leave my cabin bag outside of the plane, and that they would need to put it under the plane in cargo. I explained that I had my camera and some breakables in the bag, and the air hostess said that I could take them out, and take them with me on the plane. So I took everything out that was breakable, and stuffed them in my 'handbag', locked up my big cabin bag, and left it with a baby car seat capsule and a baby pram, obviously destined for the cargo hold as well. Well, this is a good way to overcome my over weight baggage issues!! I will have to remember this one for future. I head on to the plane, now knowing that have to rethink my bag packing. I just hope that my bag arrives at the other end!!
I found my seat, and juggled my camera, trying to find somewhere I could place it. Coming up with nothing, I find that the safest place for my camera is in my hands!!
As everyone embarks the plane and finds their seats, I watched in horror, as a grown man takes of his jumper, and throws it to his mother, located in the seat across the aisle from him. She promptly catches the jumper, neatly folds it, and then places it in the over head locker. I actually had to rub my eyes and double take, did I just see that right?? Yep, I sure did.... That is so sad!!! I then again watch in horror, as this same mother gets up, and starts frantically searching for something in the overhead lockers. Not finding what she is after, she opens a second, and a third locker, still nothing. She madly grabs her handbag, and runs off the plane. She returns 5 mins later, says something to her son, and her husband further up the plane, kissing them both goodbye, she then walks off the plane for a second time. 5 mins later, she returns, carrying a huge cabin bag. She must have forgotten to bring it on board, I'm surprised it's still there to be honest! The doors were shut behind her, and the plane starts to move towards the runway.
The almost 2 hr flight was turbulent, and at times we were being thrown around like rag dolls. But we survived!
We soon arrive in Puerto Montt, and I headed straight to baggage claim, secretly hoping that my cabin bag had arrived. I didn't have to wait long, as my 2 bags were some of the first few onto the carousel.
Bags in hand, I headed out to gen pub, and again found my name on a board. As my eyes made their way up from the board, I looked at the guy holding it, and was very surprised that it's owner was a very good looking middle aged man!! Yep, I've hit the jackpot here. I flash him my bedazzling smile, he smiles back and leans in for a kiss on the cheek. Holy crap, I must be giving off some major signals today to Chilean men!!! Not that I will complain about that fact. He grabs my big bag, and starts wheeling it for me, and leads me to an awaiting van.
We have a 20min drive to Puerto Varas, and he begins to explain to me what I should expect from my tour tomorrow, showing me maps and giving me some information about where I am staying tonight and pointing out places of interest.
We arrive at Puerto Varas, and I quickly realise that this town has a very strong German influence. Not that I have been to Germany (yet), I get the feeling that this is what it would be like to be in a small German village.
We continue to make our way through the small town, and as we reach the other side, I see an impressively large lake. Whilst there is low lying clouds, I can still vaguely make out the snow capped mountains that border this lake!! There are beautiful old sail ships, anchored just of shore.
We drive along the road, bordering the lake, until we come to my hotel, lodged firmly up a small hill, overlooking the lake. This is nice.
Juan Paulo, my guide, escorts me to the reception, giving me another kiss on my cheek goodbye, and tells me that he will most likely see me tomorrow on my tour.
I fill out my registration paperwork, and a bell boy helps me up to my room.... the penthouse suite. Sweet!!!
I open the door, and am gob smacked to find that I have an apartment, rather than a room. It overlooks the lake, and is really too big, extravagant and wasted on just me!! With two toilets, a lounge room, a huge bathroom, spa bath, and a huge master bedroom, yep, this is the life. I get settled in, however as early evening fast approaches, I find the call for food too great. I thought about heading to town, however the heavy rain that starts to fall, as I gather my things together, is sign enough for me to stay within the safety of the hotel, so instead I make my way down to the bar.
I make the most of my free welcome drink, cashing in on a pisco sour, something that I have really come to appreciate and like!! Feeling peckish, I also order a sandwich from the bar menu, making quick work of that and another pisco sour.
Feeling warm and fuzzy, I retire to my luxurious apartment and continue reading my book!!! I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, so I make the most of my beautiful surroundings, and look forward to a good nights sleep!!