Time to start work...

And so August is upon us and that means only one thing- WORK!  So I begin placement tomorrow and despite not knowing what to expect I am quite excited about getting into the swing of things and actually getting some routine sorted... although waking up and 6:30 will be a bit of a shock to the system.  I know I will be extremely tired after the Chilean working day finishing at 6:30pm but then I have to make the journey back to the hostel to then move into my apartment!  God knows what time everything will be sorted, but one thing's for sure- I will sleep like a baby tomorrow night ready for another day back at the office!

All in all, the next couple of days will be very hectic but hopefully very enjoyable at the same time!  I'll next blog tomorrow or Tuesday to update you all on how work is... but until then take care xx

Club in a Car Park!

SO, last night was extremely bizarre. About 20 of us from the hostel decided to head out after our fantastic Chilean BBQ (parrillada) cooked by the hostel. Every Wednesday night there's a party where foreigners get in for free called Miercoles Po' and it changes location each week. So off we went on the metro to find Alto Barcelona. We were stood on the street outside where the club should be and could hear music, but there was no sight of a club entrance or any building partially resembling anywhere you may go to party. All there was was a multi-storey carpark! Next some men told us to come into the carpark, which we thought was really weird so hesitated for awhile before they explained that the nightclub is on the 5th and 6th floor of the multi-storey car park! It was really strange waiting for the lift to take us up before arriving in an empty car park with a small door half-way down with bouncers outside. As we strolled up they could obviously tell we were foreigners as we by-passed the queue and got waved past the till to head up another storey to the club. Inside was like a tardis! From nowhere appeared a massive dance floor with 3 bars, seating areas, VIP areas and happy hour deals :D It was pretty quiet to begin with even though it was 11pm, but by midnight the club was packed with Chileans and foreigners alike and everyone had a really good time.

But I still cant get over how random it was to be in a car-park. Let's see if there are any other random places Chilean clubs can be found!

Week 1

So the first week has gone pretty quick and I feel like I’ve settled in really well and met some great friends in the hostel from all over the world who are all here teaching English or studying.  I realise I’ve been lucky in finding an apartment so easily as they’ve all been searching all week and some still do not have apartments.  I’ve been on several tours of the city, climbed Cerro San Cristobal, eaten out, been to a salsateco and a couple of bars.  All in all it has been a great first week!  Not sure what the next week will bring as there’s nothing else for me to do until I move into the apartment and start work next Monday- although I may start work this week instead.  The weirdest thing I’ve found so far is the Chilean language!  When I landed I swear they were speaking an Eastern European language, it was pretty confusing,  but having spent sometime this week with some Chileans I’m getting used to the accent and the 100mph speed of talking.  Hopefully, in a few more weeks I will be a lot more comfortable speaking the language and using the abundant Chilenismos. Let’s see what week two brings :D

CHILE

SO the journey didnt get off to the best of starts!  First of all Heathrow couldnt handle the amount of bags passing through so we had to wait an extra hour to check in, then the flight was delayed for 75 minutes.  Finally arriving in Madrid, I had a mad dash to make my connecting flight only to board the plane then sit on it for 90 minutes before take off because the air traffic controllers were having an arguement!  That said the LAN cabin crew were fantastic and we all got drinks, blankets (which Ive stolen), pillows and some fabulous food (well as far as plane food goes). 

13 hours later and we started to pass over the Andes, and thanks to the delay the sun was rising producing the most amazing views Ive ever seen.  It was extremely awe-inspiring, but unfortunately couldnt get my camera out as by law you have to have your seatbelt fastened when passing over the mountains.

Having landed the whole process through the airport was simple, despite me thinking I was going to be interrogated about not having a visa etc.  What shocked me the most was the journey from the airport to the hostel.  We passed slums, wooden huts, houses with tin roofs, and slowly the quality of living improved to the extreme luxury.  Another shocking thing is the difference in Spanish-  I really had no idea what the driver was asking me but I think I replied correctly :D

Now at the hostel, the staff are extremely friendly and I feel completely relaxed and welcomed in Chile.  Just got to wait a couple of hours to get my room, then Im off to find food and drink, and maybe buy a chilean mobile.  From being pretty nervous and scared of what to expect here, I feel pretty comfortable now, but this could change when I step out into the real world!

Last Night

Had such a fantastic leaving BBQ with friends and family last night, and would like to thank everyone for travelling over and for the fab presents, cards and wishes of good luck.  So here we are on my last night in the UK just about to go for that all so traditional Indian.  I feel really excited and it still doesnt actually seem like tomorrow that Im going to Chile.  It doesnt seem like Im actually going for 14 months either but maybe just a short break somewhere close... Im sure though that tomorrow when Im on the plane or waiting in Madrid for my connection it will hit me just how real this whole experience is becoming.  So in 41 hours I will have touched down in SCL- Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport.  The weather forecast is -3 degrees and rainy so it definately isnt going to be the warmest of welcomes, but hopefully everything will go just fine.  Fingers crossed, and Ill blog again when Im in the hostel.

Last Week in the UK!

So here we are on the 7 day countdown.  Just received confirmation that the flights are still scheduled and my seats have been allocated.  Got a window seat on both flights so Im hoping I may catch a good glimpse of sunrise over the Andes as we descend into Santiago!

I'm feeling really excited now, and not really nervous at all (although I think the realisation and nerves may kick in nearer the time).  Everything is all sorted just need to pack and get to the airport on Sunday.  Also looking forward to my leaving BBQ on Friday and catching up with all the family and friends especially Matt and Nicole who are travelling for hours just to be there.  Going to the Comedy Club with them on Thursday night too we should be a good laugh and nice way to chill before the all the rushing around on Sunday to get to the airport, changing planes in Madrid and finally arriving to a brand new city in the cold morning all alone- Im sure it'll be fine.

All I want now is for the weather to hold up all week so I can make the most of my last week of British "summertime."