The New Times

Too much to say

So its been a long time since I've blogged, and the longer I put it off, the worse the idea of it becomes. Right now I feel like there is a lot to say, but maybe I can summarise. I'll start from where I left off. We were in Brazil, before Christmas. Christmas there was wonderful. The family we were staying with really are the most amazing people. That is Ted and Deidre Collington, their daughter Morven Santos, married to Fabio, parents of Angus (8 months) and adopted parents of Gabriel (17) and Raphael (11) . I think the thing that is really shocking about this family, is that they are always looking outwards, taking care of other people, their lives seem to be far beyond their control, and they are really relaxed. I think that is a really good combination of characteristics.

After Brazil we went to probably my now favourite place on earth. Easter Island, or Rapa Nui. In case you don't know it is in the middle of the pacific ocean, the most remote land mass on earth. And it is amazing. Its all made of volcanic rock. There are enormous craters with lakes filling them, there are enormous caves, and incredible rock formations. You can see how the lava hit the sea and cooled and hardened in really amazing and unlikely shapes. The island is really not over populated or over developed which is so relaxing. You can go for walks, see the entire island and each of the seas surrounding it, and no people. Nice.

The campsite we stayed in was run by a really relaxed, friendly couple. On the last night we were there the entire campsite sat round and ate all the fish the husband had caught in the sea the day before. This sounds really idyllic I think, in reality I wasn't too keen on the fish, I think that is mainly since Conor asked this question "what really is the difference between eating a fish and a rat". When I couldn't come up with an answer, I knew then that there must be something wrong. Still, it was definitely the best campsite I've ever been to. Also I got a tan, I'm actually tanned, I look at my legs and see that I am, maybe for the first time, genuinely a tanned person.

Ok so now we're in Santiago, Chile, and I like it. I realise I actually feel really comfortable in cities. When I walk along the streets I feel really happy. That is not to say I don't like the country, but I am sometimes surprised at how much I really enjoy being in cities. It is quite civilised here, relative to other South American places, so I feel pretty comfortable, there is hot water coming out of the taps, and I'm not worried about the power being about to go.

We have managed to stumble across the most perfect hostel in the world. Completely by accident, we came to this place and I think its because it is run by an American man so he has high standards, but it is amazing. We've set a few days of our trip aside, while Conor and I are in Chile and James and Anna, our travelling buddies, are in New Zealand, to plan a major event coming up in our lives that requires quite a lot of thought and organisation. That would be our wedding. Yes. And it is as though someone knew this, and set up the most perfect hostel in the world for us to be in at this time. So the hostel is amazing because not only is it the cheapest in town, the people really friendly and relaxed, the laundry free, there are 700 DVD's available to watch on a nice TV with a posh sound system, we are given tea and toast at breakfast, and we are encouraged to use more, not less of anything we need, but also there is free internet. I guess that doesn't sound too exciting, but it really really is, for us, right now. So we're here, in this lovely part of Santiago. And really I want to say thank you. This really is amazing.

posted by Lucia @ 03:04