So its almost been a week now and it has been amazing.

Santiago is an amazing city, the people are friendly, its pretty clean and the back drop of the Andes is awesome, see photos.

I arrived at the hostel and as per usual met a bunch of Aussies. I am staying in a small funky little part of town similar to St Kilda with its little bars and clubs, markets and restaurants. Its a great hostel and eveyone is super friendly. Every night has begun the same with a group of us sitting round the hostel having a few drinks then heading out, last night there were 4 Aussies, an English couple, a Dutch couple, a Dane, some Chileans and some Americans. Its a fun mix.

Each morning you just find someone who wants to do a similar thing for the day and head out. Over the past few days I have been on a big walk around the city, a bus tour, been to the museums and eaten some great food.

My spanish is coming along very nicely, I have suprised myself. I am buying food and drinks, introducing myself and starting to have basic conversations. Its a lot of fun and I look forward to getting better over the coming months.

Tomorrow (Saturday) am heading to Val Paraiso and Vina del Mar which are both towns on the coast. Its about 1 1/2 hrs from Santiago by bus and it is meant to be very nice.

I am looking forward to my trek starting but will be sad to leave Chile next week.

Hope you are all well and ill update soon.

Adios.