Chile

This is basically what we looked like for the 2 weeks we spent in Chile...partly because everybody here in South America (except you Eileen!) lacks the ablility to give accurate directions, but they give them anyway AND partly because Chile was not part of "the plan." So we came to Chile on a whim and found ourselves moving at lightening speed to get out of the northern Chilean desert (we decided we don´t like the desert much). I must explain that our idea of "lightening speed," while on a 10 month long vacation, is definitely very different from the general public´s definition of "lightening speed." We spent a couple of nights in quite a few towns before getting to Santiago- that´s "lightening speed" to us considering the length of the country. Another note on Chile: even if you speak Spanish...you´ll have no idea what anyone there is saying to you. Chilean Spanish should be a language of it´s own and that´s all we´ll say, you should all visit and hear for yourselves. We are now in Argentina and very thankful that our Spanish skills do exist outside of Chile.

So our highlights of ´very modern´ Chile:

-Losing our ATM card while crossing the Peru-Chile border, oops. No worries, M was smart to keep a secret stash in a different account and luckily we have a layover in DC where we can replace the lost card...what luck!

-Stargazing at The Community Observatory at Cerro Mamalluca near La Serena where the desert skies make for amazing views...even during a full moon!

-Malls...more importantly, MOVIES!!! in English- this was exciting for us, ok.

-Beaches, for P at least, M is a lake person.

-Our new friend, Eileen =)

-M surviving a haircut. End result = not a mullet, (mullet = style of choice down here).

-People watching was at it´s best in Chile, where anyone can disrobe and swim or bathe in fountains found in parks and plazas.
-Paved roads.

-Buses with air conditioning and reclinable seats.

-Fast, clean subway in Santiago.

-SPOTLESS public bathrooms in Santiago (NYC has a thing or two to learn from Santiago).

-Hearing the word "perdon" when one accidentally bumps you.

We have changed "the plan" once again and have decided to visit Patagonia in Argentina, so our next update will be coming from Mendoza, Argentina as we explore some of wine country before heading south to Patagonia.

We are also seeking a good town to have our very own, 2 person, inauguration party.

Any suggestions?