Since the last i wrote i have been to quite a few places and on even more bus rides. I left Puerto Varas and arrived in Santiago the next morning. I had the day there, the next morning i had to leave for Arica(Northern chile) I met some really nice people and we went out that night for some food and drinks. Now the restaurant we went to was saposed to be a nice place. We walk in and it is nice so we sit down. Now i ordered a steak. The waiter asked what kind of sauce i wanted so i went for the mushroom sause. He also asked me if i wanted the rice and salad on the side i said yes. Lots of places here put bread and salsa on the tabels before your meal. We get our bill and he has charged me for the mushroom sauce, he has charged me for the rice and the salad and he charged us for the bread. We didnt even order the bread. I was not the only one that had this done to me. What they do is make it sound like things are included like at home and there not.But at some restaurants it is. So needless to say we were not impressed, we are budget backpackers. Ouch! But then we went for drinks and forgot all the problems! What eles was funny was when we were sitting there having dinner this other guy walks in and it turns out to be this guy that matt and i hung out with for New Years in Bolivia. What a small world! The next day i start off early attempting my longest bus ride to date 31 hours. It was hell, but i arrived finally in Arica. It was in the middle of the desert but had the ocean right beside it. On the beach it was so windy you would get out of the the water and be black from the sand. So not very fun. I love sitting on the beach but i hate having sand on me! i know i am a strange one! The hostal by far was not the nicest but i had my own room wheil paying the dorm price and the old Kiwi (new zelander) ran the hostal. He was so nice and had a great breakfest. I also met alot of more Kiwis here along with some Auzzies. I realized as we had more and more to drink how much they are like Americans and Canadians. We get along but once we have some drinks we are bold enough to tell each other our country is better. Needless to say i went to bed before the argument was over!
I called mom and got the potato soup recipie and made it for the entire hostal. They loved it! I also did my first kick boxing class and felt like a total fool wheil i was doing it but hey whatever! So moving on i then left, crossed the border into peru and here i am in Arequipa where i think i am going to hang out for awheil. The hostal is great and well ya! They have programs to go and volenteer at a school or an orphanage. So i might do that mabey some more rafting or i dont know!
Matt driving in to the bus station all i could think about is us getting here the first time and you being so mad at the bus. Funny! Hey i will take some Alpaca pics for you i know how much you love them! I will also go to some ruins for you cuz i know you have only seen a couple!
Jenn you really should work harder at school! Just joking!Glad everything is good!
Kathy and bud very nice to hear from you! I am ok thanks for the concern. Matt should be there right now giving you your gifts i hope you like them. Keep reading!
Dad you never said anything about the truck! is that a no?
Sheila i have tried calling you so many times but it is just not working!
Anyways dinner is almost ready so i should go(they cook big good meals every night here at the hostal for only 3.50)
Love
Karalynn