Date : October 6, 2000
From: America Latina 2001
Subject: Our first walk
Place : Chili / Santiago

On landing in Santiago of Chile, we were welcomed by Olivier's friend, Carlos, and his Swiss girlfriend Audrey. We got on a bus to Santiago and thirty minutes later we arrived at the Guesthouse that Carlos found for us. A Chilian old lady welcomed us with a big smile and took us to the bedroom: a large room full of trinkets and photos hanging on the walls representing the family, Jean-Paul and Pinochet. We set a meeting in the evening to pay the owner which let us time enough to start visiting the town. Around 6.30 pm we went back to the Guesthouse and a guy dressed in a suit was waiting for us, the Senora (his wife) arrived five minutes later. What should have been a mere formality turned to be a real ceremonial...: the owner asked who we were, how we had met Carlos, and so on... Once he was reassured, all was set, we could use the kitchen, have our clothes washed, ask them advice to buy a car, and so on... except took down the photo of Pinochet ! Forty-five minutes later we agreed about the cost of the room: US$ 180 for the whole month. The room stands near downtown and in the middle of car sellers, it sounds good !

Hasta la vista !
Philippe et Olivier