Hello all! Hope you've enjoyed your weekends!
So, on Thursday I had a chilled out day exploring San Pedro and catching up on Spanish. I booked a bus for 8pm that night. And bumped into Harriet, who had followed my route a day later with a couple of people she'd met in Sucre. When the other 3 surfaced about 4pm, I went out with them while they got food. Oh and Vic the yank was called Brayden.
The bus was a pleasant surprise after some of the cattle trucks in Bolivia! Even got a pillow! It was a 16 hour journey to la Serena but I slept soundly from about 10 to 8am. They bought round a snack pack for breakfast and I attempted watching the films in Spanish with subtitles to improve my spanish.
Arrived in La Serena about 12. It is an old city beside the sea- nice to be back down to sea level after nearly a month in the highlands. I followed the directions to the hostel I'd booked and eventually found it after twice heading in the wrong directions. The hostel is more like a house- very cosy, and although they had no record of my booking I ended up in a four bed dorm but paid for the 8 bed dorm, so all good.
I headed out to explore the city- considerably more civilised and modern, but still with a colonial style to many of the buildings and lots of churches. I struggled to find a good market or meal as cheap as I have recently enjoyed. But had salmon and salad, which was nice. I booked a bus ticket on to Santiago for Saturday. I didn't feel great so come back to the hostel and have been struck down by a bug, probably something I ate. It has never been truer to not trust a fart and lucky, that for the first time since I come away, you can flush the toilet paper. I had an early night, although I was searching on the internet for how to apply for a visa for argentina, because the embassy had told me I need one if I'm travelling on a temporary passport, but I can't find anything!!! I think I'll have to visit the argentine embassy in Santiago. Sharing my dorm with 3 Germans who've been cycling around SA for 7 months.
Saturday: still feeling rough. I showered and tried to eat the breakfast. Then headed out to find the beach. I walked for about 2 hours, watching people surfing and loads of runners- shame I wasn't feeling better as it's a nice run. The beach is endless and all sand. It's hot and sunny, but not their main season yet.
Chilled in the hostel before getting my bus at 3. I probably should have visited Valle de elquin while here, but I'm sure there'll be more to see in Chile- it hasn't really captured my heart yet. The bus was ok, not very busy or as luxurious. It was 7 hours and in the seats near me was a middle-aged, Chilean woman who started talking to me, even though her English was about as good as my spanish. She told me that she had a 20yr old son, she's a chef and that if I needed anything in Chile to ask her. She told me about a house party she was going to when we got off the bus and asked me to come. When the bus arrived she took me on the metro to where I had to get off and we exchanged numbers and stuff with the plan of meeting up an hour later at 11. However, I found my hostel and couldn't face going out- I hadn't eaten all day and the diarrhoea hit with vengeance. I was in a dorm with 3 South American girls who were incredibly rude and unfriendly, probably not helped by how rough I felt.
Sunday: so much to do in Santiago but I woke feeling even worse- it's like the worlds worst hangover. I couldn't even face the highly rated buffet breakfast, which was one of the reasons I booked this hostel and as most of you know for me to not eat for two days I must be ill. I had to check out by 11 and I got advice on what medication to get and bought a big water. But then I couldn't face moving off the couch- waiting for my next bed to be ready at 2, I then slept for about 6 hours. Will have to stay until I feel better so I can see the sights. Chile is certainly more developed than the last two countries, so I feel safer. But then there are still glimmers of it being not quite there.
Seen some good pics of your Yarmouth weekend!! Sounds like fun, rubbing shoulders with the stars! Not sorry for missing the s*** shops. Glad the job is going ok jake, I'm sure you'll love it once you can get stuck in! There are lots of trees here Chris, well not so many in the desert. But I couldn't really tell you much about them! Dad I'm sure you're loving the peace.
Take care peeps!