Sunny Santiago

Hola!
Jon and I have arrived in Santiago, Chile after what proved to be an exhausting long day and night of travel. We left Jon's place at 6am, arriving at the airport late due to doors being frozen shut. Jon and I had not had much sleep so we were pooped but ready to go.

We knew we would be in for a long flight, with a connection in Costa Rica, but what we didn't know was that our 2 flights had somehow doubled. 4 boarding passes were handed to us in Pearson. The fun was only beginning.

Flight number one was delayed an hour and a half. Eventually we arrived in San Salvador, El Salvador (a country I will visit properly one day). Flight #2 was delayed almost 2 hours due to an earthquake shaking things up in Costa Rica. We eventually made it after a couple of hours in the air. From the airport window Costa Rica looks stunning and I really cannot wait to spend some time there in July. Flight #3 brought us to a large, clean and comfortable Hugo Chavez airport in Lima, Peru. Finally flight #4 arrived us tired and cranky, but excited nonetheless in Santiago, Chile.

4 countries, 3 contenants, 3 times zones and 17 hours later we had a breezy time getting through customs at 330am. We were shocked, however, to learn that the mandatory $55 us entry fee for Canadians had now increased to $132!! A whole dollar more than Americans! Obviously Canada has been making some changes and the Chileans are paying us back!

It was too late for us to book a hotel, or find a taxi into town so we begrudgingly opted to making the best of a couple of chairs in the airport. Horrible, horrible sleep. I woke up miserable, but then looked out the massive airport windows to see the snow capped Andes welcoming me to this stunning country!!!

Now we're lounging at our hostel, La Casa Roja in the bohemian district of Santiago. The city is big, loud and very European. Polution is a problem, as are crazy drivers. Food is cheap. Beer even cheaper. Jon and I bought a leter bottle of cerveza for $2 and enjoyed it by the pool. Tonight we''re having a bbq in hope of meeting some fellow travellers and learning about their adventures.

We hope to stay in Santiago for 2 nights before taking a late bus down to the lake district and Puerto Montt, beginning our time in Patagonia. I CANNOT FREAKING WAIT!!!!!!! The Andes, from what I can see are monstrously massive and overwhelmingly beautiful. Photos will soon follow! Many many photoos.

Ok all. I've managed ot have my first conversation in Spanish, and drink tap water without vomitting. So far so good.

Lots of love, hasta luego.

Emilia xo