Jan 2007

Hey Old Man!!

Feliz Cumpleaños!! Hope you had a good one!! We had a drink for you (or ten)!!

Sending our Love from South America

XXOXX

Monique & Kate

Buenos Tardes Amigos

Como Estas? Nosostros esta muy, muy bien.

Intending to only spend one night in La Serena our plans changed rapidly when we met the family that runs Maria´s Casa and we ended up there for 4 nights!! There were tears when we left.

Maria´s Casa was a pretty little hostel with simple rooms but a beautiful garden and most importantly hot showers (most of the time). We arrived at 12pm at the bus station, knowing someone from the hostel was coming to pick us up. Kate was approached by a man saying "Money? Money?" and she refused only to later realise he was saying "Moni, Moni" so we quickly chased after our lift and jumped aboard the back of the ute.

Our first impressions were pretty good, Andres (Money man) promised to discuss the town in depth in the morning, he turned on the hot water and we had hot showers and went to bed satisfied. Things only got better and better from then on. After a bit of a sleep in we woke up to Maria asking us "Cafe? Cafe?" we reluctantly accepted (past experience with SA coffee had not been good). It ended up being the best coffee in the world!!! We soon came to realise that the lonely planet was not wrong when it claimed Maria fusses over weary backpackers. She refuses to let you do your dishes, always wants to help you cook and make you cafe.

After a long day of walking the streets of La Serena, Kate was very disapointed as the Vegetarian restuarant had closed down (they like their Carne) we had naps and a late dinner. At dinner we met Pancho, Maria´s brother who makes beautiful traditional leather shoes and various other products in his studio in the hostel. Pancho´s English is not great and our Spanish is terrible but we had a great conversation none the less. He introduced us to Mango Pisco Sour (BIG MISTAKE!!!!) we were instantly in love it is the yummest liqueur, but dangerous as it is best served straight. We spent the night meeting the rest of the family, drinking Pisco and being taught the Salsa by Maria´s youngest son, Mauricio. Apparently our salsa technique is too "techno". We are pretty sure this mean we are rigid and robotic.

The following day we explored La Serena´s beaches, not particually impressed but we do have very high standards. That night we got a crew together from the hostel and drank Pisco and then let Mauricio take us out on the town. We went to V.I.P (pronounced "vip" by locals, very cute) it is La Serena´s equivilant of the Red Sea. A weird mix of American music (eg the Grease medley), Reggetoni and Salsa. Mauricio assured us there would be lots of tourists there, however, we were the only uncoordinated white girls busting bad moves on the dance floor. Actually we were out done by a our new friend Inka a crazy chica from Amsterdam, her moves were like nothing we had EVER seen before (not in a good way). Despite our lack of dancing skills, we were different and thus very popular, dont worry Simon swimming caps were worn at all times

We spent our last two day just exploring La Serena and doing a tiny bit of shopping (really tiny!!!!). Our last night we went to the Observatory up in the hills overlooking La Serena. It was beautiful we got to see stars, the moon and Saturn. Yes even from earth you can see its rings. It didnt look real, just looked like a tiny white glow in the dark sticker. When we arrived home the boys had waited for us to go dancing again. Monique was firing up for another big night and had to tempt Kate out of bed with Pisco and Lemonade. There was not much dancing that night as Chile is heading Perth way, closing very early on week nights (early for them though is 4am).

Saying good-bye was very difficult, we had made such good friends with everybody. We bought Maria a little pink Gerbra plant and wrote them a Thank-you note in Spanish. Maria loved it and cried upon our departure and hugged us and would not let go. It was the sweetest thing.

We then set off on our 16hr (Yes 16) bus trip to the middle of the Atacama desert. Stories from San Pedro to follow.

Love and miss you all!! Thanks for all the messages & emails!!

xxox

Monique & Kate

Buenos tardes nos amigos!!

Feliz Ano Nuevo!!

On the advice of our trusty lonely planets, we set off on the 31st to bring in the new year in Valparaiso. Surviving our first encounter with a chaotic Chilean bus terminal in Santiago, we sat back and relaxed on the 2 hr trip unaware of what was to come.

The drama started to unfold before we even got off the bus, a man who spoke a little English informed us that our hostel address was not in fact an address. A non-english speaker at information gave us some more instructions and a bus number which did not really help us much. A local then ushered us onto a local bus. After the kind help of some English speaking Chilean tourists and a kind bus driver we arrived at our "stop". We found a hostel and received a map and directions from evil twins. Initially more confident we set of to find the hostel which was supposedly 5 blocks away. We walked up and down hills and stairs through shanty towns (see Kates unimpressed face below) and cemeteries, every so often having to ask for more confusing and conflicting directions. Kate was confident when we found the correct street, but Monique remained cynical with reason! (Kate thankfully assured Monique that this was not within the normal realms of the backpacking experience!!) The hostel was number 1 however the street only went to Number 6 (the number system is different to say the least!). The people at number 6 had NO idea where Number 1 would be.

Frustrated, sweaty and fearing the demise of our New Year celebrations we returned to the city centre well aware that all the accomodation was booked out. We decided to try our luck with a hostel in the city near the bus terminal as a last hope. Our hearts plunged as the boys in front were offered a room with one single bed. Obvioulsy unaware of the lack of rooms and too macho to share a bed they turned it down. The night was looking up!!!

And here started the bread and cheese binge that 48hrs later has left us unable to even look at cheese. Newly obsessed with hot, doughy chilean bread, we stocked up on bread, cheese and champagne for our New Years picnic. All dressed up, we joined the masses descending upon the Valparaiso harbour. Filled with locals adorned in wacky paraphernalia, we soon acquired our own bags of confetti and bad shiny wigs!! We set up for the night, making friends with the locals surrounding us, then cracked into the champers as we awaited the show. On midnight, the air filled with confetti and fireworks, as we embraced all those around us and were surprised to have our drinks tipped out and refilled with champagne for the new year!! The fireworks did not disappoint as they went off at least 8 different points along the harbour for at least an hour!!

This was quite a turnaround from the disasters of the morning!! We then spent the next few hours enjoying the atmosphere, Chileans sure know how to bring in the New Year!!

The next day (after an intimate breakfast of bread and cheese in our cosy double bed), we boarded a bus for our next destination, La Serena. Staying in a beautiful family run hostel in La Serena now (with HOT showers)...more stories to follow....

Love xxox

Money & Cake