I will never forget the sight of the Andes as I got off the plane in Santiago.

Beautiful snowcapped mountains gliding smoothly into the fog (or rather unfortunately smog) of the bustling city. I took one look at them and knew that embarking on this adventure was the best decision I have ever made. The excitement in my stomach (that even on day three has not disappeared) confirmed that this is going to be a wonderful year!

The city centre seems to me to be a mix of New York and Madrid or Paris. There are all the fast food chains you would expect, and of course the token Starbucks; there is even Santiago's equivalent of Wall Street. But as you wander around the area near Plaza de Armas, you come across beautiful French and German architecture. One part of the city that was recommended by the tour guide was Barrio Lastarria. It's a tranquil area that looks and feels like a little corner of Paris. It's full of wine bars and restaurants, which in concordance with the European theme seem to have elevated European prices! A little out of my range I feel before I start earning a salary, but definitely on my "to visit with the family" list when they come at Christmas time.

Speaking of families, I seem to have met my Chilean family for the year. Thanks to a friend from the University of Birmingham I am now in contact with the most lovely and welcoming people you could meet. They invited me for a typical Chilean dinner last night, and although I was nervous at the beginning that I wouldn't understand their accent and that I had forgotten how to speak Spanish, I was soon reassured and welcomed with open arms (and an open bottle of Chilean red wine to try!) They left me in no doubt that if I had any problem I was welcome to contact them and they would host me in their house whenever I wanted to come back to Santiago to visit, which I am sure I will do as this city has enchanted me.

As far as food goes, I have enjoyed everything that I have sampled thus far. For lunch yesterday a friend and I ate at Galindo, a busy restaurant on the corner of Calle Dardignac in Bellavista http://galindo.cl/inicio.htm . I tried Cazuela de pollo, a kind of broth with chicken, pumpkin, potatoes, corn on the cob and green beans. It was delicious, but it still felt slightly odd to be eating a very wintery and filling dish when it was 25 degrees outside! It is easy to forget that Chile is currently in the winter season. Never one to refuse to try somethig new, I ordered a beer that was recommended by the guide. What is special about this beer is the preparation, in that salt, pepper and a touch of tabasco is added to it. Not being overly keen on beer normally, I half expected to hate this interesting mix, but once I'd got used to the saltiness it was actually pretty damn good. I definitely won't turn down a Cerveza Michelada in the future. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to any visitors to Santiago. The prices were fair for the portion sizes and the waitors very friendly and helpful. One word of warning though, if you sit inside you may end up nearly getting beheaded by a kamikaze pidgeon as I did just as we sat down. It flew through the open window and knocked itself out on a closed one trying to escape before swooping straight for my head. I consequently, in panic, landed on the lap of an unsuspecting gentleman seated at the table behind. Not cool!!!!

Before I go I must mention our tour guide Danilo from Ecuador. Throughout our four hour tour he not only told us of Chile's turbulent history, but he also took the opportunity to inform us on the best ways to self defend in South America during our stay. It turned out he was very keen on martial arts, having studied at least ten at his private school in Ecuador, and now wants to patent his own style here in Chile and become a Master. However, the style he has developed seems to be breaking all the rules of any other martial art form as your oppenent (who in theory will have trained in one specific art) will not be expecting it. I can't help but think he's slightly missing the point of discipline in martial arts, but if anyone does try to jump me I will be sure to take his advice and bite them or poke them in the eye. He assures me it could save my life!