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Soo we arrive in Valparaiso at 6am after just 6 hours on an over night bus and it was pitch black. We got a taxi to our hostel only to have stray wolf packs attacking the taxi as we drove past- more fear than Harry Potter when he saw the Grim in the park. When we arrived at our hostel we rang the bell- no answer. Rang it again and again and again and again NO ANSWER. 3 pale tall white gals in the streets in the dark with all our stuff- safe to say we stood out and didn't feel overly safe. Soo we decided to go seek refuge so as not to get mugged, murdered, freeze or be mauled to death by a pack of wild street dogs (wolf pack). The only place we found was a very snazzy, swanky hotel- when we rang the bell asking if we would come in, a very elderly, confused, non English speaking guy in a bobble hat appeared and eventually let us in. My god I was relieved but also never have I felt like such a smelly hobo in my life in comparison to the amazingly posh hotel lobby. The guy however told us through google translate that "you are protected here"/ so cute and I was so delirious through being tired that I nearly cried. He then insisted we went upstairs to the restaraunt balcony to take pictures of the harbour. But it was dark so the pictures where pretty pointless but we acted enthusiastic so we didn't upset him. He then made us coffee and bobbed about in his hat behind the bar dancing away and occasionally just standing there laughing at us. No idea why. As it got to 7.30 it was still dark- STILL but decided to leave before the guests came for breakfast and thought we where real life hobos.
We got to the hotel UP A MOUNTAIN OF A HILL and once again no answer until about 9- but on the plus even though we where freezing and very VERY pissed off at te hostel, we saw the most incredible sunrise and our spirits where lifted by the kindness of the man and also by seeing a little kid fall from a high curb into an open car window- skill.
FINALLY we where let in and we napped for a few hours. We then went off to explore and I think it's fair to say we all fell in love with Valparaiso. As you walk around the cobbled streets you re constantly fascinated and surprised by what you stumble across around the next corner- be it an amazing piece of street art on the side of an abandoned dirty building, a wall I graffiti wall of scribbles, a random bike stuck on someone's house or just another damned stray wolf pack. The beauty of the art contrasts perfectly against it's dirty surroundings which creates a certain beautifully odd charm. Even the countless stray dogs began to scare me s***less less and less. UNTIL WE NERLY GOT SAVAGELY ATTACKED BY COUNTLESS STREET WOLVES when we got lost in the slums on a hill. It was so scary, PitBulls and Alsatians showing us their teeth and barking as us as we past countless scary houses. I nearly cried and nearly jumped on Louise's back many times in fear, should have jumped on Becks to he fair as she has a rabies jab- either of them really, take them first- their Scottish!!!!
We did a street art/ graffiti tour one of the days also- it was lush. So interesting learning about all the types- tagging, bombing, piecing, stencilling, street art vs. graffiti. Oh yeah my coolness levels just exploded off da chain. But seriously it was amazing to be told the story behind the art. We even got an edgy pic on the "we are not hippies, we are happys" steps- profile pic worthy for sure.
So our main really for Valpo (as da locals call it) was to sunbath buuuttttt it has a port so no beach- classic. So we ventured to the neighbouring city of Vina Del Mar for those sunny days- I just say sunny and not hot because to be fair it wasn't very hot, if was just warm enough so lye on the each without getting goose pimple as it is autumn here. But like the true Brits we are we stayed strong and 'tanned' for 3 days- didn't tan at all though but I did finish a book which is an achievement for me.
Vina Del Mar was cool- kinda a Miami wanna b- roads lined with Palm trees and bars on the beach (never been to Miami by the way but that's how it looks in Keeping up With The Kardasians). We sat drinking some cheep wine in a snazzy bar one evening and watched the sunset- so romantic- then went to a delish seafood dinner. Well it was delish until it came back up- something fishing going on there -- lol.
Aannnyywwaayyyy- NNEEXXTTT- Santiago. Once again out hostels as dead (very low season in Chilie apparently) so we jut thought YOLO- bought some more wine and played some cards. Until 3 Chilean men kept a perving on us and asking if we wanted to party at their house and that they will buy us a bottle of tequila each while we where there- he asked me this while in the phone to another creep- so we thought we don't really want to be taken as sex slaves tonight to we just went to bed. Liturally feel like a celeb as we walked round the city- the only blonde pale people around and constantly looking lost meant many lush lads making kissing noises at us and shouting things- most male attention I've got since being the only white girl in my Visa run to a random Asian country. But apart from that Santiago was beaut/ quite westernised but with it's own certain charm. We rented bikes one day to go around so went to the funicular so see the city from the mountains. It was ace- reminded me so much if The Grand Budapest Hotel. When we got to the top out first impressions where CHRIST ITS SMOGGY and then WHY IS THERE SONE RANDOM GIRL DOING THE CRAB AND MEDITATING OVER A ROCK. But the city was very pretty. We also walked up to da big Mary which was once again a pretty view. We then walked back down thinking it would take 10 mins. Over an hour later of walking down hill and blaring tunuea such as N-Dubz from my phone we made it to the bottom. Then treated ourselves to an accidental Donna kebab for lunch. There was also a psychotic homeless lady hiding behind dustbins while smirking and giggling to herself and sussing out who had booze before sauntering to their tables and holding out her empty cup for beer- she got a cup full from one table so fab mind sweeping tactic to be fair to her.
Omg also I have I mention the amount of PDA!! Christ the Chileans are a horney bunch- everywhere we went there where people practically dry humping with snogging passion against walls, park floors, benches and just generally in the middle of pavements. I felt so pervy but I couldn't help but stare in amazement. Such sassy Huns.
Soooo Chilie you have been fab, I am now full to the brim on amazing seafood and red wine. Now onto Argentina for steak and even more red wine. I've read they do a nifty Tango over there so I will have to mix up my salsa career and have a dabble in the Tango scene- will probz be a natural pro.
- comments
daisys #1 fan. kim Brilliant as ever! Minus the angry dogs...it all sounds such fun. Well actually rather the dogs than the pda!
Bubs Pda sounds gross
Donna Love it! Sounds amazing Daisy :)
Carly Loving the blog - the description of the homeless woman reminded me of Zoe