..leaving comments

My sexy pink computer

I hear there has been a few of you trying to post comments on the blog. I have now adjusted the settings as to make it easier to do so. Now just click on "comment" at the end of each post and choose between one of the following ID-options:

1) Name / URL (you don't need to fill out URL)
2) Anonymus
3) Google account

Hopefully this will help to make it easier!! - I appreciate all the feedback and support from you all!!
Muchas gracias!
Hasta luego

No Te Va Gustar

 One of the most recognized Uruguayan rock bands; No Te Va Gustar (NTVG) came to play in Santiago last friday! I got the day off work and went to see them with some Uruguayan friends! The venue filled up with enthusiastic fans that sang along throughout the concert. Also, their was no lack of Uruguayans, and we as well waved the flag to showcase our Uruguayan spirit! My good friend Mica (on the left) and I met at Unplugged, the hostel I worked out, and she brought some friends from the Uruguayan restaurant where she works.

No Te Va Gustar - translate into "you will not like it", a name that resulted from answering the question of what their ´origional´ name was, thus answering; "you will not like it", which then became the official name. The band has a history of almost twenty years and a discography of seven albums recorded. Although the group is super popular in Uruguay and Argentina, their popularity has not taken root in other countries. The band consists of an impressive number of nine members, and at the concert over ten participated. Their range of music includes reggae, candombe, ska and murga (popular Uruguayan music).

The Uruguayan spirit!

The Uruguayan Crew

Here are some samples:
Chau:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTLNe-xpF44
Nada para ver
No hay dolor: (at 3:35)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0Le1Gftk_M



And after an amazing concert I joined up with some colleagues at work for some pizza and beer before heading out to the clubs! 

- Feels good to have the food being served for awhile, as supposed to be the one serving it! ;)

The tranquil country side

So a week ago, I was invited  to spend my day off at myfriends house a bit outside of Santiago. It was definitely an appreciated change from the energetic city pulse. Although the trip only takes about half an hour from the city, I still found myself amazed at the complete noise-free environment. Just bird-singing and a refreshing breeze. My friend Orion and I both work at California, and on our days off he does his best to drag my collapsed body out to do things, like a true champ!


As we arrived at his house, we enjoyed a bit of a mate with his family in their living room before preparing dinner. I was happily surprised to meet the two cats that live with the family, very much so as I miss my cat Zukie back home in Sweden! - After a warm meal of home cooked food, a cup of coffee, and a relaxed moment after dinner, it was announced through the hall that Elevenses was being served!! ..which is actually quite a common tradition in Chile. So there we go, toasts with cheese and ham, cup of tea, or in my case a cup of hot chocolate before retreating to one´s own personal hobby of the evening. We enjoyed a calm evening watching a few movies on the TV!

The backyard of the house offers a good view of the Andes even though the smog clouds most of the peaks. In the summer, the planted tress supply a great variety of fruits and veggies; everything from olives to apples and pears!

I look forward to the next visit; enjoying a good Chilean  artisan beer, in a quite afternoon, over a game of chess. Sounds like a good break from work!
                                      -
Although I very much enjoy living in the city, I think I will always miss the tranquil atmosphere of the country side.

Uruguay..reminiscing!

Here are some pictures I found on my phone earlier...enjoy!

Unplugged Hostel, the place to be in Montevideo!! As usual, we are enjoying the common Uruguayan tea-beverage while making the acquaintance of people from around the world at the end of the day! 

Feliz cumple Felipe!!

A band of Brazilians came to stay with us for a few days, and had brought instruments to play and sing samba!! Im not sure if the Irish can beat this, they went on for hours and hours without ever repeating the same song. - The picture is taken on the beautiful "rambla" (beach-walk) in Montevideo, and people from young teens to very experienced years gathered around to dance, watch, and enojoy the gorgeous afternoon! - Uruguay already has a rich culture of rhythm and beat which is displayed throughout the city by local crews that practice regularly on the streets to compete in the Carnival! It is not uncommon to go out to watch and dance along these groups!

       CHIVITO!!                                                                Y la deliciosa Pizza con fainá!! 

The Uruguayan pizza is really nothing to brag about, but...together with the ingenious invention of fainá - kind of like a thin garlic crust, it´s the best there is!! - Enjoying some at work with my colleagues!!

A veces nos trajo Pizza y fainá Hernan de su otro trabajo!! Q groso!!

If you ever visit Uruguay, you NEED to try a Chivito! The delicious "burger" comprises the best of Uruguay; a delicious steak, tasty beacon, ham, fries, eggs ..and some veggies! Unless you are really hungry, you got two meals in your hand! - Goes well with the 1L bottle of Uruguayan beer! Pilsen or Patricia!

After a night out in Montevideo, we are enjoying the warm sun rise on the rambla! Time for some early breakfast at the hostel before a short nap! - Sundays are well spent at the Tristan Narvaja Market where literally anything is sold from fruits and veggies to "antique" spoons, coca-cola bottles and books! A must!! - And if you have the energy still, you really Should visit the tambores - which exhibit an important culture in Uruguay; African drumming and dancing! (Dont bring valuables as many pocket thieves gather to see the spectacle as well :/  )

Uruguay is well known for its Carnival, and it is a huge national celebration throughout all of February! (In fact, it is the longest lasting Carnival in the world!) It´s inauguration includes two days of parades which absolutely blew my mind (Just make a google search on "Uruguayan Carnival"!!!) The picture is taken from the almost daily competitions of the Murgas, which constitutes another important part of Carnival. It usually consists of a group of men  with extravagant costumes that performs and sings  humorously about the political and social themes that have been prominent throughout the past year! A large number of Argentinians come to enjoy this too!

With my crew of international students enjoying yet another free concert in Montevideo!! There is a great number of Uruguayan rock bands that regularly play at open concerts, along with well known names as Molotov and Bajofondo. Moreover, I´ve had the privilege to see international bands such as Calle 13, Manu Chao, and a couple of Swedish metal bands!  The free concerts I was told, is an initiative to invite the youths from the interior to events in the capital. Along with the electronic beach-parties, open live-music in the parks, and the vast range of pubs, bars and dance clubs that represents all genres of music, the city offers way more than just a first impression!     

"La cueva" - the cave: as it became known, was my room for the better part of the summer! A small, cramped room in the basement! (a real basement damp and with little sun light) It didn´t bother me much, as the temperature was cool, the mosquitos few, and I finally had my own room!!

The Unplugged Crew!! Enjoying the warm afternoon son and Uruguayan "asado" (BBQ) in front of the hostel! - I miss waking up to this!! ;)  

                                     - 

"No parece mentiras las cosas que veo - por las calles de Montevideo!!"

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBNHd4WKULc)  

Classic Uruguayan music about the streets and cultures of Montevideo!

You must understand that work was veery exhausting at times!!

DJ Mendez anyone? Rings a bell??

In Uruguay (without exception) the two first questions asked from the Uruguayans were always; 1) And why are you staying in Uruguay?? 2) Which team do you support; National or Peñarol?? - Here in Chile, I am regularly inquired about the infamous DJ Mendez! - "Yeah,...it rings a bell... (:S)" I answer as the questions almost always seem to presume its obvious that I know. 

The Chilean/Swedish DJ and music producer DJ Mendez, moved to Sweden with his family at an age of 9  due to the ruling dictatorship under Pinochet. He was actively involved in criminal gangs in his earlier years and consequently spent numerous years in prison, but left it all behind as he started to work on his own dream as a music producer and entertainer. Here is a little showcase;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m8nBihxGo0  

(Enjoy! :D)

Starting anew in Chile!

On my way to work; Plaza Italia and the beautiful Andes

After a month here in Santiago, I´m starting to appreciate the distinct differences of this lone country on the other side of the Andes! (More about that in later entries.) As for me, the other side of "living/working" in a hostel has been an all together different  experience, but a good one for sure!  There has been many ups and downs along the road, lessons learned and lots of hard work, but reaping the rewards I now sit with my mate, in a fairly central apartment, with three steller Chilean room-mates, a job that pays the rent (& the drinks).

My new "hobbit hole" does not accommodate much more than my bed and a slim pathway to the cramped bathroom with a (barely) one-man-shower! But hey, who really needs much more than that! And the truth is, I am very stoked to have my own space to hibernate chill, relax, and prepare to take on another day! - The room did not offer more than a bed frame, so first thing to be done before moving in was to acquire a mattress (pillow and blanket) which in Vancouver, thanks to craigslist offers little challenge. But with a little help from my friends, I managed to find myself what I needed for a reasonable peso!

Although I am currently missing some curtains to restrict the reality-TV entertainment from all the neighbouring apartments outside my window, and some sort of arrangement to store up my stuff (and free up the narrow pathway to the bathroom), I´m quite content! Now that I am finally settled in my "hobbit hole", I will have some more the time to prepare for my adventures in the spring, and keep better in-touch with you all!

- Please leave some comments on what you think of this blog, or other genuinely inspiring words! - Nos vemos!

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