Fri 9th Jan - Santiago
I have previously arranged to meet the supervisor at the Spanish School at 10am but move this to the afternoon after my early morning arrival to Santiago. I have booked up two weeks of daily (Mon - Fri) hour and half private Spanish lessons. I head to the school in the afternoon to pay and enrol.
From the school I head to Manuel Montt where I buy a new charger for my phone. On my way back I bump into a German girl called Sarah who I had seen at the school earlier. We share our travel stories and use the opportunity to get Sarah to translate a German entry in my journal from Isa back in Auckland!
From the school I head to Manuel Montt where I buy a new charger for my phone. On my way back I bump into a German girl called Sarah who I had seen at the school earlier. We share our travel stories and use the opportunity to get Sarah to translate a German entry in my journal from Isa back in Auckland!
Sat 10th Jan - Santiago
A latish night + very little sleep the day/night before on my flight.. jet lag setting in.. I have a long lie in! In the afternoon me and Ewan head to a The Dublin in Patio Bellavista to watch Crystal Palace v Spurs.. we have some beers and papa fritas (chips) .. a 2-1 loss.. rubbish!! In the evening I have an earlyish night in order to finally recover fully from the journey!
A latish night + very little sleep the day/night before on my flight.. jet lag setting in.. I have a long lie in! In the afternoon me and Ewan head to a The Dublin in Patio Bellavista to watch Crystal Palace v Spurs.. we have some beers and papa fritas (chips) .. a 2-1 loss.. rubbish!! In the evening I have an earlyish night in order to finally recover fully from the journey!
Sun 11th Jan - Santiago
A lazy Sunday morning in the hostel.. later in the afternoon I walk to Manuel Montt (about 30mins away) to meet a friend (Marie) from work's friend and boyfriend Catalina and Gonzalo.
To begin with we go to Teatro de Nescafe to watch a Circus Show, part of the summer festivals 'Santiago a Mil'. It is a very entertaining hour, with a variety of gymnastic skills on show. After the show we take the metro across the city then walk through a quiet neighbourhood arriving to a restaurent for some food and drinks.. Chorillana.
We then have a short walk to the Museum of Human Rights where we watch a free play put on to celebrate five years since the museum opened. The place is packed out with people, the performance is focused on the politics of Chile's history during the second half of the 20th Century. Gonzalo helps to me to understand the gist of what is going on during the play, as I can understand very little! But there is a lot of music and singing to enjoy. I am lucky to have met Catalina and Gonzalo as they have been so friendly!
A lazy Sunday morning in the hostel.. later in the afternoon I walk to Manuel Montt (about 30mins away) to meet a friend (Marie) from work's friend and boyfriend Catalina and Gonzalo.
To begin with we go to Teatro de Nescafe to watch a Circus Show, part of the summer festivals 'Santiago a Mil'. It is a very entertaining hour, with a variety of gymnastic skills on show. After the show we take the metro across the city then walk through a quiet neighbourhood arriving to a restaurent for some food and drinks.. Chorillana.
We then have a short walk to the Museum of Human Rights where we watch a free play put on to celebrate five years since the museum opened. The place is packed out with people, the performance is focused on the politics of Chile's history during the second half of the 20th Century. Gonzalo helps to me to understand the gist of what is going on during the play, as I can understand very little! But there is a lot of music and singing to enjoy. I am lucky to have met Catalina and Gonzalo as they have been so friendly!
Mon 12th Jan - Santiago
My first day, and first lesson at Escuela Bellavista. My teacher for the next two weeks will be Johanna. We use the first part of the lesson for me to.. well attempt.. to introduce myself and therefore for Johanna to access my basic level of Spanish. Johanna is very friendly and patient with me! I leave the class full of excitement for my lessons to come, looking forward to the challenge of learning more Spanish.
My first day, and first lesson at Escuela Bellavista. My teacher for the next two weeks will be Johanna. We use the first part of the lesson for me to.. well attempt.. to introduce myself and therefore for Johanna to access my basic level of Spanish. Johanna is very friendly and patient with me! I leave the class full of excitement for my lessons to come, looking forward to the challenge of learning more Spanish.
Tues 13th Jan - Santiago
Class no.2 and some revision and more speaking practice.. and my first homework is set.. back to school indeed!
Tonight there is a free salsa class which I plan to go to. After my lesson I meet Megan, an American girl, along with two Brazilian sisters Isabel and Anna. Me and Megan stop by in the park to chat and get to know each other. I have mentioned to all the girls about the salsa night as well.
In the evening I head to the salsa club.. at first I know no one.. and can't see the girls.. A guy I recognise from the school turns up and it is here I meet Antoine, an American guy. Soon the lesson is about to start so we head down to the large dance floor.. packed out by many people. The girls haven't turned up! After the initial warm up it is time to pair up.. but soon everyone has paired up and we can't find any other girls.. so instead we head to the bar for a beer.. next week I must make sure I bring someone with me!
Weds 14th Jan - Santiago: Mito Urbano
Before my lesson I meet Antoine for lunch. He has a morning to early afternoon timetable of group lessons, followed by a private lesson in the afternoon, at the same time as me. Before getting food we see Megan, Isabel and Anna.. they are about to head off on a free walking tour run by the school.. 'where were you?!'.. we tell them about our unfortunate situation! Tonight it is a club night.. free.. yes FREE drinks from 9.30 - 11pm. Me and Antoine are sold.. we encourage the girls and a fews others to come.
Later in the evening I find Filipe and Vinicius also ready to come to Mito Urbano, as we are chatting an English traveller Conor passes by.. within a minute he is sold and heads back to his dorm to change shirts. We head out and meet Antoine at the club.. many free piscola's later and a fun fun night!
Before my lesson I meet Antoine for lunch. He has a morning to early afternoon timetable of group lessons, followed by a private lesson in the afternoon, at the same time as me. Before getting food we see Megan, Isabel and Anna.. they are about to head off on a free walking tour run by the school.. 'where were you?!'.. we tell them about our unfortunate situation! Tonight it is a club night.. free.. yes FREE drinks from 9.30 - 11pm. Me and Antoine are sold.. we encourage the girls and a fews others to come.
Later in the evening I find Filipe and Vinicius also ready to come to Mito Urbano, as we are chatting an English traveller Conor passes by.. within a minute he is sold and heads back to his dorm to change shirts. We head out and meet Antoine at the club.. many free piscola's later and a fun fun night!
Thurs 15th Jan - Santiago
Urghh... not a great morning.. the sign of a good night.. I am in bed till late morning.. how did Antoine make it in for his class at 10am! I finish my homework, then it is lesson time.. where I practice my pronunciation with a pen in a my mouth..!
After class me, Antoine, Megan, Isabel, Anna, Alex and Peter head to Pablo Neruda's Santiago house where we have a self guided tour using an audio speaker.. similar to the early mobile phone.. huge! It is an impressive house and informative regarding the life of the famous Chilean Poet.. who won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1971.
Afterwards we stop at a Peruvian restaurent where we have some food and a beer. I try Ceviche.
In the evening, after saying my goodbyes to Filipe and Vincius who leave early in the morning after a fun week and plenty of laughs together, I head to Hueso Enriqure in the Yungay Neighbourhood where I meet Catalina, Gonzalo and their friend Catalana to drink the traditional wine and fruit punch Borgoña and dance the traditional Chilean dance 'La Cueca'.
La Cueca is based on the cock and hen.. the man follows the woman attempting to get her attention/seduce her, using a handkerchief and stamp like foot work. There is a set structure to follow, at different points the man and woman swap sides. Towards the end the man stamps with more force to the rhythm 12.. 12.. 12.. this is clapped at the beginning during the introduction of the song, before any singing begins.
Some of the dancers here are impressive and the live band are great! It is an enjoyable night, once again with great company. The time passes by and suddenly it is 2am as we leave!
Urghh... not a great morning.. the sign of a good night.. I am in bed till late morning.. how did Antoine make it in for his class at 10am! I finish my homework, then it is lesson time.. where I practice my pronunciation with a pen in a my mouth..!
After class me, Antoine, Megan, Isabel, Anna, Alex and Peter head to Pablo Neruda's Santiago house where we have a self guided tour using an audio speaker.. similar to the early mobile phone.. huge! It is an impressive house and informative regarding the life of the famous Chilean Poet.. who won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1971.
Afterwards we stop at a Peruvian restaurent where we have some food and a beer. I try Ceviche.
In the evening, after saying my goodbyes to Filipe and Vincius who leave early in the morning after a fun week and plenty of laughs together, I head to Hueso Enriqure in the Yungay Neighbourhood where I meet Catalina, Gonzalo and their friend Catalana to drink the traditional wine and fruit punch Borgoña and dance the traditional Chilean dance 'La Cueca'.
La Cueca is based on the cock and hen.. the man follows the woman attempting to get her attention/seduce her, using a handkerchief and stamp like foot work. There is a set structure to follow, at different points the man and woman swap sides. Towards the end the man stamps with more force to the rhythm 12.. 12.. 12.. this is clapped at the beginning during the introduction of the song, before any singing begins.
Some of the dancers here are impressive and the live band are great! It is an enjoyable night, once again with great company. The time passes by and suddenly it is 2am as we leave!
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| Ceviche .. be aware of the red chilli.. which I attempted to eat whole despite warning from the waiter... I should really have listened to what he was saying. |
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| Enjoying Borgoña! |
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| La Cueca in full swing |
The end of my first week of lessons, and a great experience so far. Next week I have rearranged my lessons so that I can go along to the free group conversation class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3pm, and on Wednesday my lesson will be at 8.15am so that I can go on the free walking tour in the afternoon.
In the morning I have breakfast with a group of multinational travellers.. I have been lucky once again to meet many friendly people during my stay here so far.
In the evening me, Conor and Loretta (Oz) head to Bellavista for a drink, there is an awesome band playing on the street opposite us.. very entertaining! Later in the hostel me and Conor have a few more beers and play cards.
Sat 17th Jan - Santiago
Around midday me, Conor and Loretta head out for some lunch.. after a long delay we eat some tasty food. Later at 3pm we arrive at Museo de Bellas Artes where we go on the 'Tips for tour' walking tour around the centre of Santiago. Our Canadian guide is 'super' excited.. oh dear.. will be able to stand her enthusiasm and piercing voice?.. we have bets on the number of times she will say 'super' during the tour! However, it proves to be very insightful and informative regarding the city and bringing to light the political history of Chile.
Near St. Lucia.. as I chat to an Aussie girl on the tour.. I feel something on my wrist.. looking down I see a brown bee.. 'oihhhahh' .. as I attempt to shake it off I am instead stung.. ouch.. Conor is in hysterics at my wimp reaction in front of the Aussie girl.. haha! Funny times. At the end of the tour we enjoy a free glass of Borgoña.
Back at the hostel we decide to get some food from the supermarket and cook together.. Ravioli = the easiest option! Me and Conor have a few beers and we listen to some music.. to Loretta's displeasure we insist on hearing 'Shake it off' the powerful and deep rooted philosophical song by the artist of a generation Taylor Swift. hahaa! We teach Loretta a card game and have a funny, chilled out night. Later me and Conor get Match of the Day on the computer.
Sun 18th Jan - Santiago
A lazy lazy day.. I study for part of the afternoon and spend the rest of the time beginning to plan my future travels in the South of Chile. Skyping home.. I am feeling a slight mid travel/ post NZ blues.. it is back to planning.. booking.. researching.. maybe I am enjoying being settled for once in Santiago and the thought of moving on again is not so appealing.. but I know this will pass! On one side I am excited and determined to learn as much Spanish as possible.. it is also a new travelling experience where I can't just use English!
Mon 19th Jan - Santiago
The start of my second week of lessons.. and a move onto past tense.. and new verbs. After class I see Antoine and we arrange to meet up in the evening. Antoine is staying in a home stay accommodation.
Later in the evening, Antoine meets me at my hostel where it has been free Terramoto night! I show him around the huge hostel.. a really great place. We head to Bellavista and find a nice pizza restaurant with good prices.
Tues 20th Jan - Santiago: Salsa
Today I head to La Escuela and first take part in the group conversation practice class.. a very helpful experience. My lesson is then after from 4.30 - 6pm.
Tonight is again free Salsa classes at Club Xirces, I have this week persuaded Megan to come along as my dancing partner, we meet up and take the metro to the venue. It is great having a partner, and we just about manage to master all the new moves taught.. one twisty move (technical language) proving the most difficult. It is a really fun time here. I hope I will be able to Salsa more whilst I'm in Chile and South America!
Weds 21st Jan - Santiago: Walking Tour/Mito Urbano
A 8.15am class is a shock to the system! The time change is so that I can return at 1.30pm and go on the free walking tour to the city's cemetery. First of all we take the metro to Plaza de Armas where the large group of us on the tour (around 25) can have lunch.. Which ends up taking the next couple of hours! Finally around 4pm.. we are on way again, taking the metro to get to the Cemetery. We then spend the next 2.. Nearly 3 hours on a Spanish speaking tour.. The cemetery is the size of 8 football pitches!
My understanding of Spanish allows me to grasp parts of what we are being told but soon.. with fatigue kicking in I can't concentrate and revert to my acting skills of looking like I understand.. Although I'm always slightly behind when something funny is said! I hope this lady doesn't ask me anything and realise how little I understand! With the help of Megan and a few others I find out more! It is an insightful trip but by the end everyone is falling alseep.. Plus the scorching sun has been shining down all afternoon!
Tonight is once again Mito Urbano.. Free pisco time.. My second and final venture to this special place..! Me and Antoine have no doubts about our plans.. Turn down free pisco.. No chance. . This is a place to savor! We recruit Frankie (an English girl from Hackney).. Megan proves harder to persuade.. Along with Raina..Both end up being nos.
The night proves to be a quality one.. Never a doubt for me and Antoine.. This week we also try the rum option along with the sweet taste of pisco. As the clock strikes 11pm, bringing to an end of the free drinks, the alcohol hasn't hit in.. But soon after it kicks in hard.. a fun night once again!
Thurs 22nd Jan - Santiago
After another late and drunken night at Mito Urbano I'm up around 10.. again.. a lot of respect to Antoine whose lessons begin at 10am!
When I arrive for my class I show my teacher the pictures from last night.. making her laugh a lot! She then preceeds to walk down the corridor, with my phone in her hand, to Antoine's classroom to show his teacher the funny pictures! Antoine's cheeks turn a bright shade of red!
I have a chilled out evening in the hostel, listening to the open mic performances and chatting to a group of Brazilan travellers. I have now finalised my next travel plans in Chile and will be taking the bus on Saturday to Tomé where I will visit Carlos (a Chilean guy I meet in May when he revisited England. Carlos spent a year working at my old secondary school in 2008, where he met my mum who works as a teacher assistant in the Languages department.)
Fri 23rd Jan - Final day/night in Santiago
My final day.. for now.. in Santiago.. I head to La Escuela for my final class where we spend the time practising only conversational skills. . Speaking about what I did yesterday and my plans for the next couple of weeks.
After class I see Antoine and arrange to meet up in the evening for dinner and drinks. Hopefully we will also be joined by a few others from the school.
Next I walk again to La Casa de Pablo Neruda's, where I buy a new journal. I have filled my original one, given as a gift to me from my friend Marie, so need a new journal to begin Part 2 of my travel adventures in South America!
From here I walk to the metro station and make my way to the main bus terminal at Universidad de Santiago. Here I buy my bus ticket for tomorrow morning to Tomé.
Later in the evening me and Antoine head out for dinner at a restaurent close to Manuel Montt. On arrival it looks closed but we are then directed to head downstairs. . Well infact down a ladder to the basement.. where are we?!! We find only one couple in the adjacent room to us but this proves to be a good chance to practice our Spanish both together and also with the waitress. We eat some traditional seafood dishes and then head back to my hostel after.
Tonight there is a pub crawl.. starting with an hour of all you can drink beer followed by free shots and entrance to 3 venues around Bellavista. Two Brazilian girls I know from the hostel are about to head there so we all take a taxi together. I let Megan and Frankie know about our new plans and where we will be.. but after leaving the hostel it is unlikely that I'll have internet so we are unsure if we will see them!
The night proves to be great once we hit Club 57 where we spend the whole time on the dance floor... lots of Brazilian Samba music.. shake shake shake your body! However we unfortunately don't see the others from the school!
Around midday me, Conor and Loretta head out for some lunch.. after a long delay we eat some tasty food. Later at 3pm we arrive at Museo de Bellas Artes where we go on the 'Tips for tour' walking tour around the centre of Santiago. Our Canadian guide is 'super' excited.. oh dear.. will be able to stand her enthusiasm and piercing voice?.. we have bets on the number of times she will say 'super' during the tour! However, it proves to be very insightful and informative regarding the city and bringing to light the political history of Chile.
Near St. Lucia.. as I chat to an Aussie girl on the tour.. I feel something on my wrist.. looking down I see a brown bee.. 'oihhhahh' .. as I attempt to shake it off I am instead stung.. ouch.. Conor is in hysterics at my wimp reaction in front of the Aussie girl.. haha! Funny times. At the end of the tour we enjoy a free glass of Borgoña.
Back at the hostel we decide to get some food from the supermarket and cook together.. Ravioli = the easiest option! Me and Conor have a few beers and we listen to some music.. to Loretta's displeasure we insist on hearing 'Shake it off' the powerful and deep rooted philosophical song by the artist of a generation Taylor Swift. hahaa! We teach Loretta a card game and have a funny, chilled out night. Later me and Conor get Match of the Day on the computer.
Sun 18th Jan - Santiago
A lazy lazy day.. I study for part of the afternoon and spend the rest of the time beginning to plan my future travels in the South of Chile. Skyping home.. I am feeling a slight mid travel/ post NZ blues.. it is back to planning.. booking.. researching.. maybe I am enjoying being settled for once in Santiago and the thought of moving on again is not so appealing.. but I know this will pass! On one side I am excited and determined to learn as much Spanish as possible.. it is also a new travelling experience where I can't just use English!
Mon 19th Jan - Santiago
The start of my second week of lessons.. and a move onto past tense.. and new verbs. After class I see Antoine and we arrange to meet up in the evening. Antoine is staying in a home stay accommodation.
Later in the evening, Antoine meets me at my hostel where it has been free Terramoto night! I show him around the huge hostel.. a really great place. We head to Bellavista and find a nice pizza restaurant with good prices.
Tues 20th Jan - Santiago: Salsa
Today I head to La Escuela and first take part in the group conversation practice class.. a very helpful experience. My lesson is then after from 4.30 - 6pm.
Tonight is again free Salsa classes at Club Xirces, I have this week persuaded Megan to come along as my dancing partner, we meet up and take the metro to the venue. It is great having a partner, and we just about manage to master all the new moves taught.. one twisty move (technical language) proving the most difficult. It is a really fun time here. I hope I will be able to Salsa more whilst I'm in Chile and South America!
Weds 21st Jan - Santiago: Walking Tour/Mito Urbano
A 8.15am class is a shock to the system! The time change is so that I can return at 1.30pm and go on the free walking tour to the city's cemetery. First of all we take the metro to Plaza de Armas where the large group of us on the tour (around 25) can have lunch.. Which ends up taking the next couple of hours! Finally around 4pm.. we are on way again, taking the metro to get to the Cemetery. We then spend the next 2.. Nearly 3 hours on a Spanish speaking tour.. The cemetery is the size of 8 football pitches!
My understanding of Spanish allows me to grasp parts of what we are being told but soon.. with fatigue kicking in I can't concentrate and revert to my acting skills of looking like I understand.. Although I'm always slightly behind when something funny is said! I hope this lady doesn't ask me anything and realise how little I understand! With the help of Megan and a few others I find out more! It is an insightful trip but by the end everyone is falling alseep.. Plus the scorching sun has been shining down all afternoon!
Tonight is once again Mito Urbano.. Free pisco time.. My second and final venture to this special place..! Me and Antoine have no doubts about our plans.. Turn down free pisco.. No chance. . This is a place to savor! We recruit Frankie (an English girl from Hackney).. Megan proves harder to persuade.. Along with Raina..Both end up being nos.
The night proves to be a quality one.. Never a doubt for me and Antoine.. This week we also try the rum option along with the sweet taste of pisco. As the clock strikes 11pm, bringing to an end of the free drinks, the alcohol hasn't hit in.. But soon after it kicks in hard.. a fun night once again!
Thurs 22nd Jan - Santiago
After another late and drunken night at Mito Urbano I'm up around 10.. again.. a lot of respect to Antoine whose lessons begin at 10am!
When I arrive for my class I show my teacher the pictures from last night.. making her laugh a lot! She then preceeds to walk down the corridor, with my phone in her hand, to Antoine's classroom to show his teacher the funny pictures! Antoine's cheeks turn a bright shade of red!
I have a chilled out evening in the hostel, listening to the open mic performances and chatting to a group of Brazilan travellers. I have now finalised my next travel plans in Chile and will be taking the bus on Saturday to Tomé where I will visit Carlos (a Chilean guy I meet in May when he revisited England. Carlos spent a year working at my old secondary school in 2008, where he met my mum who works as a teacher assistant in the Languages department.)
Fri 23rd Jan - Final day/night in Santiago
My final day.. for now.. in Santiago.. I head to La Escuela for my final class where we spend the time practising only conversational skills. . Speaking about what I did yesterday and my plans for the next couple of weeks.
After class I see Antoine and arrange to meet up in the evening for dinner and drinks. Hopefully we will also be joined by a few others from the school.
Next I walk again to La Casa de Pablo Neruda's, where I buy a new journal. I have filled my original one, given as a gift to me from my friend Marie, so need a new journal to begin Part 2 of my travel adventures in South America!
From here I walk to the metro station and make my way to the main bus terminal at Universidad de Santiago. Here I buy my bus ticket for tomorrow morning to Tomé.
Later in the evening me and Antoine head out for dinner at a restaurent close to Manuel Montt. On arrival it looks closed but we are then directed to head downstairs. . Well infact down a ladder to the basement.. where are we?!! We find only one couple in the adjacent room to us but this proves to be a good chance to practice our Spanish both together and also with the waitress. We eat some traditional seafood dishes and then head back to my hostel after.
Tonight there is a pub crawl.. starting with an hour of all you can drink beer followed by free shots and entrance to 3 venues around Bellavista. Two Brazilian girls I know from the hostel are about to head there so we all take a taxi together. I let Megan and Frankie know about our new plans and where we will be.. but after leaving the hostel it is unlikely that I'll have internet so we are unsure if we will see them!
The night proves to be great once we hit Club 57 where we spend the whole time on the dance floor... lots of Brazilian Samba music.. shake shake shake your body! However we unfortunately don't see the others from the school!
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| Me and my Spanish teacher Johanna |
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| Me and two of the hostel cleaners.. I was known as Chorillana to them after a funny attempt at pronouncing the word during my first week. |
Tomorrow I will begin my month long travels in the South of Chile. .
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