..in process, dual language options: English / Español!

My dear readers, I´m currently working on incorporating the option to read my blog in English and/or Spanish. It will take a little bit of work (and with very little experience, it may take some time).  - Now I have yet to accustom myself to the 10 hr shifts they work here in Santiago! I work as a waiter at a Sport bar / restaurant called California, and get along very well with the staff (although I lack a 101 in Chilean Spanish)! My free time I need to recover from the long shifts at work and transit, though I have plans to free up time and get myself involved in some other projects! - I´ll get back to you later!!

Teníamos un tema de máscaras a trabajo! 

Muchachos! Estoy trabajando para incluir la opción de leer mi blog en Inglés y Español. Eso podría demorar un rato porque tengo con poco experiencia de manejar y mantener un blog! Pero ténganme paciencia, y dentro de poco tiempo me puedan seguir a través de este blog! - Ahora estoy trabajando en un Sport Bar / Cantina que se llama California. Aun las horas son varias (10 hrs), paso la mayoría de mi tiempo libre recuperando de trabajo, tenga unas ideas de abrir mas horas y meterme en otros proyectos! - Les aviso luego! Vamo´arriba!!

So, what is going on here?

Parque Forestal - Santiago

Since I stepped out of the doors of my graduation at UBC, I have always had a dream to explore the cultures, languages, and the nature of South America in an epic backpacking journey. When I at last set my foot on Uruguayan soil in 2012, the idea had really not amounted to anything more concrete than a smear of dreams, hopes and excitement. - When I left Uruguay in May 2013 I was determined to at last commence the journey of my life!

With a rough idea of how to travel (..North; due to the cold climate approaching from the south) to see as much as possible without back-tracking, I set off to purchase a motorbike and the necessary accessories in Buenos Aires /Argentina. Upon my arrival, I encountered a ´Saint´ sent to my rescue, a well-travelled Fresh motor-biker, whom revealed to me how it is practically impossible as a foreigner to leave the country with a vehicle bought domestically. My last option was then to travel to Chile (which was initially not part of my itinerary) to purchase the motorbike instead.

La vista del cerro de Santa Lucia

After just a few days in Santiago, I relished the warm hospitality of a friend I acquainted in Buenos Aires, found work possibilities through another friend I met in the hostel I worked at in Montevideo / Uruguay, and furthermore was approached by a Chilean entrepreneur; setting up a Chilean tourism /outdoor website, and shared his sincere interest to include my journey in this project. - At this point, all the puzzle pieces came together and I realized I can make this trip more than just my own adventure.

So now I am in the process of setting up this blog, continuing my collaboration with my Chilean friend and his website, and preparing an extended trip, now including the diverse scenery of Chile, the renowned beauty of La Patagonia, and the unique nature of Ushuaia / La Tierra del Fuego.

 - And until the flowers bloom yet again in the spring, I´ll make my abode here in Santiago.

Santiago - The purifying rain

Help is offered to cross the street

  So just after enjoying the sunny autumn weather here in Santiago for a few days, the rain came. And for 2 days straight it rained!
   I helped my neighbour collect all the fallen leaves on his veranda. He told me that; "even a single leaf can cause a flooding when spread out over the drainage. Especially with heavy downfall" - Oh, thats true..! o.O
   It is a fact that the draining system in the city is anything but effective, and occasionally causes minor implications for those traversing in the streets. As for car / motorbikers, it is vital to know how the different streets can handle the rain, as some very easily become flooded!


   Although when the rain subsided, I was awestruck by the reminder that in fact, Santiago does abide in a valley between two major mountain chains; The widely known Andes chain and the Chilean Coastal Range.      
   This pictures is taken from my neighbourhood, and was in fact the first time I laid eyes on the Andes from the city itself. The mountains provide opportunities for rock climbing, downhill skiing, and an amazing view when the smog is cleared away. - Awesome!


   The rain helps to effectively clean the air from the exhaust that gets trapped within the valley, thus clearing the dense smog that otherwise settles over the city. I never really paid much attention to the smog until it was cleared, but now I almost miss the rain, despite ALL the street vendors in the city yelling; "Paraguas! Paraguas atomaticos!"
   So after all the implications due to the heavy rain, one is well awarded with a astounding view of the very impressive mountain chains, from anywhere in the city!