November 5th-9th, 2015
When I first went to Costa Rica, I told my friend Jutta that I would come to see her at the end of the two months in Central America. Once we researched ticket prices and flight times, we realized it was one hell of a lot further then we thought. I put Chile on the shelf for a while, until I decided to extend my trip by another two months. Santiago ended up being my destination goal.
Finishing my 4 month gallivant by visiting friends in Santiago was perfect. After months of new people, new experiences, and new places, it was soothing to be around familiar faces. I stayed with one of my best friends Jutta, her boyfriend Francisco, and their roommate Pablito. We started off each day with a lovely breakfast of avocado, eggs, bread, and Spanglish. Jutta and I stayed up talking until very late drinking beer (just like old times), reminiscing and talking about everything and nothing.
When I first arrived from San Pedro de Atacama, Jutta and Francisco were waiting at the airport (very late at night- thanks guys). Even though poor Jutta had to wake up very early in the morning, we couldn't help but have a few beer and begin catching up. Let me tell you- after staying in hostels for the last month and being having the 24 hour stomach flu in the high Bolivian desert, having my own bedroom and bathroom was a real treat. The next day while Jutta was at work, I totally basqued in my own bed, in my own bedroom, and loved it way too much.
Fransico and Jutta lives in the Bellavista neighbourhood (close to Pablo Neruda's house), and I explored by foot while she was at work. That night, we went out in a bustling neighbourhood teeming with bars, and sidewalk patios, and we met one of our friends, Felipe. Francisco joined us later on his bike. We stayed up way too late (again), and enjoyed too much pizza, beer, and fun (obvs).
The next day, poor Jutta had to go to work again (what a trooper), and after locking myself in the courtyard between the locked apartment door and the locked gate, my friend Felipe luckily was able to get me out. Felipe and I went to grab a hung-over breakfast, and he took me to the bus stop where I'd be off to Valparaiso. He was going down South, so we gave each other hugs goodbye and I made my way to one of my favourite cities ever.
When I got back, Jutta, Francisco, Pablito, and I went out to meet some of Jutta's friends from work, and explored more of the nightlife of Santiago. While being hung over for the 10th morning in a row, I woke up to a pretty strong earthquake. Annoyed, I just grumbled to the earthquake that I had a headache and that it should be quiet. I'm pretty sure it didn't listen to me, but it stopped (thank goodness), and in celebration Jutta, Francisco and I went to explore the farmer's markets, where we got fresh-fruit smoothies, and ingredients for a late lunch that night. We also went to a famous Chilean place to get the drink called Teremoto, which means earthquake in Spanish. It is a mixture of fermented white wine (pipeño) and pineapple ice cream. We had many conversations with the locals and headed home to BBQ and drink red wine. That evening we went to visit our friend Aleli and her two adorable children for afternoon tea, which is a tradition in Chile. And finally, I joined Fransico and Jutta on their night of tango which was superb.
Farmer's market late lunch with Chilean Wine
Drinking terremotos after real terremoto that morning
Jutta, Aleli and her two little ones, and I after evening tea
After a night of Argentinian tango and an early-ish night, Jutta and I spent the next day touring around Santiago. We joined in on a walking tour, and they explained everything from the Pinochet Regime and coffee-with-legs. That night we visited our friend in a condo building (which would be scary times in an earthquake). The wine was lovely and so was the company.
Jutta drinking coffee with the jacked up pony
The morning I left was surreal, and bitter sweet. I gave Jutta a big hug good bye, and was finally Canada bound.