The Gaijin Report: Cecily and Ashley - My Sister and Cousin Grace Chile

I felt a bit anxious during the days immediately preceding the arrival of my sister Cecily and my cousin Ashley in Santiago. The texture here can be rough around the edges and I found it ironic that my first visitors in Chile would be two "classy" "sorority" girls (one who we lovingly labeled as a BT (Bratty Teenager) when she was in high-school and the other who's temper tantrum screams during the 1992 Academy Awards summoned a visit from the local authorities), while my visitors in Japan, a country of inhibiting safety and cleanliness, were some of the world's most offensive inhabitants.

Nevertheless, I couldn't wait for them to get here. So much in fact that I went a day early to the airport pick my sister up. Note to all potential visitors: when your host requests your arrival date, do not give your departure date.

Cecily got in a day before Ashley did. During this time we saw some colorful and appropriate Santiago street art, walked around the Castillo Hidalgo, sang the entire soundtrack to The Little Mermaid and stumbled upon a performance of the Chilean mating dance.

Ahnfanzel

Ash got in the next day and we shopped for ski clothes at thrift stores on Bandera street, had the best meal I've had in Santiago (near Bandera street - CP$1,000 (US$2) for a huge piece of fried fish, big plate of french fries and rice and a salad - heavenly) and saw Batman - The Dark Night - the best super-hero movie, if not the best action movie I've ever seen.

After a full day (and night) in the city, we headed for the mountains at 7am - hungover, in great moods - for a day of skiing in the Andes. SkiTotal is the most popular tourist ski company and it was a one stop shop for rentals, gear and a pretty intense ride up and down the mountain.

Unfortunately there were some equipment problems and the girls didn't get much skiing/snowboarding in, but they rolled with the punches. I on the other hand (ever the sympathetic host) covered as much of the mountain as I could. Great skiing, not crowded, and fun runs. It looked lame from the bottom of the slopes because there are literally no trees, but when I got to the top...un.....believable.

The ocean of smog smothering Santiago, the capital of Chile

The Concha y Toro vineyard was next on the agenda, as evidenced here:

The girls went to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar for the next couple of days and I stayed in Santiago because I still had to work. They seemed to have a good time. We left for Pucon, 10 hours to the south, a few hours after they got back. Took the overnight bus. Perfect for the trip - the seats are "semi-cama" (semi-bed) and they lean back far enough to sleep easily.

It was raining when we got in to Pucon and against my better judgment, we followed a guy at the bus station working for a nearby hostel. So glad we did. It was the best hostel I've ever stayed at. Backpackers hostel was cheap (CP$6,000 a night), easy, fun and friendly. The owner had a tour business that made it easy to do a ton of stuff: white-water rafting, zipline, hiking and hot springs. The town reminded me of Telluride, Colorado. We enjoyed.

Zipline

Volcano

Lake 15 minute walk from hostal

For Cecily's last night we ate at one of the best, and most grueling, restaurants I've been to in Santiago - the all you can eat Brazilian meat fest place (not the establishment's official name). No time limit and they'll keep bringing you freshly cooked meat until you call uncle. After dinner we went drinking and ended up passing out in the middle of karaoke. Nice send off. Ashley had a couple more days in Chile and spent them touring vineyards in Santa Cruz. Also a nice send off.

Despite a few cultural differences...