This journey really started with a big NZ farewell at Mac´s Brewbar on Wellington Waterfront, amid the backdrop of the NZ cricket team (Black Caps) playing their quater-final against Sri Lanka, on the big screen at the pub. This was at the end of a ridiculously crazy week which had included finishing my ´new´job with the Insurance Company, completing the 6hr Tongariro Crossing ´Great Walk´in NZ and several crazy days running in between appointments with the bank, imigration lawyers... oh and don´t forget packing!
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| As the sun sets on my last night in Wellington. |
After a nice brunch with my flat mates, and a lovely cuppa with my friend Belinda, I got home and packed with 15 minutes to spare. 5 months worth of stuff was stuffed into 2 bags, as I was driven to the airport by one of my amazing group of mates, whom without which I would never had got through these last few weeks. This was it... the trip has really begun.
SYDNEY - Stop one was just 3 hours later in Sydney. Unbeknown to me, the hotel I was staying was literally aroud the corner from the hostel I stayed in back in 2002 - I still recognised the area (Kings Cross). having literally dropped my bags in the room, I was joined by my good friend, (and OT), Nikita. We had a great catch up and after a few beers it was already time to say goodbye and get ready for the early morning flight.
SYDNEY - SANTIAGO - This flight had a ´hidden stop´. That stop was back in NZ, but despite the strange route it gave me time to stretch my legs after 3 hours before embarking on a 10 hr flight to Santiago. My plane ´neigbours´were from Argentina & Chile, which gave my Spanish a test run, in between the 6 movies I watched.(I don´t tend to sleep on planes unfortunately).
SANTIAGO, CHILE, (5 DAYS)
It´s been a brilliant 5 days here, a true home away from home! I Loved Santiago when I was here for the WFOT Congress in 2010, and still love the place.
Day 1 - After a much needed 2-4 hours sleep, I was quickly up and around the city remembering the main areas with amazing clarity. The memories of lots of stray dogs, street sellors, traffic light entertainment, shoe shining, kissing couples and strange coffee bars came back to me so quickly. A walk and a drink with the first of a few friends I would see, made me feel like I´d never been away!
Day 2 - I popped into the University De Chile, to see my friends and professors Diego, Erna & Laura. As I walked towards the school, Diego appeared around the corner and informed me he was about to teach a class, swiftly inviting me. Within a few minutes of the class starting (Professional reasoning in OT), I accepted Diego´s invitation to speak to the class on this topic, and did so in Spanglish... of which I was very proud of myself for managing - with Diego´s interventions of course. People laughed in the right places at least!
A further walk around the city led me to some familiar places....
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| Santa Lucia |
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| Plaza de Armas |
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| Tamy @ St Cristobal Hill |
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| Me @ St Cristobal Hill |
Day 3 ended with one the nicest surprises I have experienced so far. 5 Years ago whilst visiting Conception, my friend Andrea and her family invited me for a Sunday lunch, and refused to let me leave for 3 days, putting me up in their home and treating me like one of the family. I never forgot their kindness. Well, as luck would have it, the family happened to be in Santiago this night and invited me for a gorgeous Italian dinner. Not only was their welcome as warm as 5 years ago, they wouldn´t let me pay. I thank the Sato family for their warm hospitality and I truly hope I can repay your kindness in NZ one day! The fact I managed to get through the night with most of the conversation in Spanish, definitely lifted my confidence.
Day 4
Time for a swim. My apartment had access to a swimming pool, what I was not expecting was these views that went with it......
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| Santiago from my apartment... |
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| Tough life in Santiago.... |
Following my lovely afternoon relaxing with my friend, I returned to the Universidad De Chile to meet Erna Naverette. Erna is an amazing person in many ways. Professionally she is widely experienced in practice and teaching, in fact this day was the official day of her book (Occupational Therapy and Social Exclusion) being published. After meeting at the University we picked up her daughter, and then went for Ice Cream. Whilst we could have chatted about professional things all day long, it was lots more fun to talk about the exciting life adventures ahead, and that´s exactly what we did over some delicious ice cream!
My final full night in Santiago was a relaxed one, well relaxed after the nightmare of Santiago rush hour! If you want to know if you could live in a city, go and use their metro / public transport at rush hour! I had to wait for the 3rd train before I could get on the bloody thing, as the first two were literally packed solid. At least the night ended with the most amazing clear night views of my favourtie South American City.
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| Santiago by night.... |
Day 5 (Today) - has been a practical day.... I packed, checked out, went to the airport to drop off my luggage for tonight´s 02:00 flight! Having returned to the city and eaten I am now heading off to meet some more friends for some drinks before flying to Colombia tomorrow for the start of a brand new life...
Muy Gracias Santiago y amigos!
Dan
