Originally I was planning on heading up to Haiti and the Dominican Republic after my stay in Brazil, but as I've learned from this trip. Plans change. So when I realized that wasn't going to work out, I set my sights on finding somewhere else to visit in the South/Central America region. It was during this brainstorming period when I stumbled across my friend Teo's Instagram picture in Chile. In an instant I remembered that he lives there. It was perfect. Chile is close to Brazil and there was a relatively in-expensive ticket available. I messaged him and the plans were set, I would be visiting Santiago for my unoccupied week.
First thing when I got off the plane and out of the airport, we drove off (into the sunset) towards Viña del Mar. This little beach city is where Teo's mom and grandparents live. It is also apparently where he spends every weekend (and as it was a Saturday when I arrived, we had to go to Viña). The drive only took about an hour from Santiago, so I guess it makes sense that he goes so often. Why wouldn't anyone want to spend every weekend by the ocean?
I know I complained about the rain a lot in Brazil but it was pretty dreary. I was probably even worse in person to Teo when I arrive because he assured me that it basically never rains in Chile. That it might be super cold (as it was winter) but it was still usually sunny. This might normally be true (and I think it probably is) but it just happened to rain 3 out of 7 days I was there. Just my luck!
So we spent the weekend at the beach and it was sunny and nice for that day. I took a few hour walk with Teo's mom and their dog Luna down the coast. The little pup frolicked around on the beach and played with the cochayuyo (seaweed) that was washed up all over the shore. It was a crisp but sunny winter day and a perfect way to spend a sunday afternoon. My senses were overwhelmed by the sound of the ocean and the barking dog, the smell of seaweed, the feeling of the sun and the breeze, but most of all just that feeling you get when you're near the sea and you look out at the vastness of the water stretching beyond sight out to all corners of the earth.
From the sprawling coastline, with the cuchayuyo scattered along the sand and the waves crashing on the shore, we traveled an hour back inland to the foothills of the Andes. The massive snow capped peaks watching over this artsy, laid back city (which feels like the Colorado of South America). Chile is a ski/snowboarders (and surfers) paradise with the attitude to match.
However, there is also a thriving contemporary art community, which I'm sure has an equal impact on the pulse of the city. Because Teo had school and work during the week, I spent a lot of time wandering the city and visiting every art museum I could get my hands on (and there were plenty available!) I also had a few really interesting conversations with the few locals I met who spoke English, these all revolved around art, music, etc. Just generally creative endeavors.
I think I might be a bit smitten with Chile. It is either that, or Teo sold it to me really well (but he was off actually having a life most of the time, so I don't think that is why). One thing that Chile is not though, is cheap. It was almost as expensive as (if not more than) the UK, but at this point in my trip, being under budget, that didn't really seem to concern me. I guess the art, culture, and people gave me enough reason to ignore the price tags.
I did get to spend the evenings with Teo (which would have been more fun had it not been getting dark by 5:30pm every day). We usually cooked dinner and than became hooligans and just generally made a ruckus (but we made sure to be in bed by 9pm because, you know, school/work and stuff).
The last morning, just before I went to the airport, I had breakfast with another friend of mine from India. Guru Seva made breakfast and I ventured over to his place. It was so cool to see him after so long and get a chance to have a bit of a catch up. It was kinda rushed (but that is the story of this trip, so I guess it fit the program).
Now, ironically, the best part of my Chile adventure, even though I think it was my favorite (new) place on this trip, was leaving. The airport saga is a tale of its own. Little did I know that when I got back from my lovely breakfast, the animal farm would be waiting to greet me. Teo and his friend Seba had gone to a costume store (or something of that nature) and picked up a dog and a zebra onesies. They than proceeded to take me to the airport dressed like this, all the while waving around a Chilean flag. This caught everyones attention. It was kinda the best thing ever.
I did have to say goodbye to them and to Chile, which is had but I've gotten used to goodbyes. You could say at this point I am kind of a pro. The goodbyes have actually just turned into, I'll see you when I come back, because I will be returning to most all of the places I have visited (hopefully). Chile, however, is one place that I will return to. I have no doubt in my mind that within the next few years I will go back to this marvelous country. A place I enjoyed immensely but didn't even see close to what it has to offer.
First thing when I got off the plane and out of the airport, we drove off (into the sunset) towards Viña del Mar. This little beach city is where Teo's mom and grandparents live. It is also apparently where he spends every weekend (and as it was a Saturday when I arrived, we had to go to Viña). The drive only took about an hour from Santiago, so I guess it makes sense that he goes so often. Why wouldn't anyone want to spend every weekend by the ocean?
I know I complained about the rain a lot in Brazil but it was pretty dreary. I was probably even worse in person to Teo when I arrive because he assured me that it basically never rains in Chile. That it might be super cold (as it was winter) but it was still usually sunny. This might normally be true (and I think it probably is) but it just happened to rain 3 out of 7 days I was there. Just my luck!
So we spent the weekend at the beach and it was sunny and nice for that day. I took a few hour walk with Teo's mom and their dog Luna down the coast. The little pup frolicked around on the beach and played with the cochayuyo (seaweed) that was washed up all over the shore. It was a crisp but sunny winter day and a perfect way to spend a sunday afternoon. My senses were overwhelmed by the sound of the ocean and the barking dog, the smell of seaweed, the feeling of the sun and the breeze, but most of all just that feeling you get when you're near the sea and you look out at the vastness of the water stretching beyond sight out to all corners of the earth.
From the sprawling coastline, with the cuchayuyo scattered along the sand and the waves crashing on the shore, we traveled an hour back inland to the foothills of the Andes. The massive snow capped peaks watching over this artsy, laid back city (which feels like the Colorado of South America). Chile is a ski/snowboarders (and surfers) paradise with the attitude to match.
However, there is also a thriving contemporary art community, which I'm sure has an equal impact on the pulse of the city. Because Teo had school and work during the week, I spent a lot of time wandering the city and visiting every art museum I could get my hands on (and there were plenty available!) I also had a few really interesting conversations with the few locals I met who spoke English, these all revolved around art, music, etc. Just generally creative endeavors.
I think I might be a bit smitten with Chile. It is either that, or Teo sold it to me really well (but he was off actually having a life most of the time, so I don't think that is why). One thing that Chile is not though, is cheap. It was almost as expensive as (if not more than) the UK, but at this point in my trip, being under budget, that didn't really seem to concern me. I guess the art, culture, and people gave me enough reason to ignore the price tags.
I did get to spend the evenings with Teo (which would have been more fun had it not been getting dark by 5:30pm every day). We usually cooked dinner and than became hooligans and just generally made a ruckus (but we made sure to be in bed by 9pm because, you know, school/work and stuff).
The last morning, just before I went to the airport, I had breakfast with another friend of mine from India. Guru Seva made breakfast and I ventured over to his place. It was so cool to see him after so long and get a chance to have a bit of a catch up. It was kinda rushed (but that is the story of this trip, so I guess it fit the program).
Now, ironically, the best part of my Chile adventure, even though I think it was my favorite (new) place on this trip, was leaving. The airport saga is a tale of its own. Little did I know that when I got back from my lovely breakfast, the animal farm would be waiting to greet me. Teo and his friend Seba had gone to a costume store (or something of that nature) and picked up a dog and a zebra onesies. They than proceeded to take me to the airport dressed like this, all the while waving around a Chilean flag. This caught everyones attention. It was kinda the best thing ever.
I did have to say goodbye to them and to Chile, which is had but I've gotten used to goodbyes. You could say at this point I am kind of a pro. The goodbyes have actually just turned into, I'll see you when I come back, because I will be returning to most all of the places I have visited (hopefully). Chile, however, is one place that I will return to. I have no doubt in my mind that within the next few years I will go back to this marvelous country. A place I enjoyed immensely but didn't even see close to what it has to offer.
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