We have the weekend free!!!! This means that today I could do what I wanted and tomorrow I will to. The only things we have to do as a large group is go to a fútbol (soccer) game and a nice dinner. I have been looking forward to this because it would be a good opportunity to catch up on sleep and explore the city.
Since I returned to my room around 5 this morning, I wanted to sleep for a bit before catching up on blogging and beginning my day. I was finally able to convince myself to get up out of bed. Ryan and I had made a deal to find a cash exchange place at 11 am, and I had some loose ends to tie up regarding my blog. Around, 10:30 I went into the hallway where we frequently gather to recap, figure out plans, blog and chill. Of course, no one was there but me. I the only sign of life I saw from our group was Chris, Pitt Engineering Advisor and Plus 3 Chile Assistant in the hallway on the way there.
Once I finally finished, I grabbed my US cash and tried to find solid information online about where to go. I didn’t really find anything helpful, but I remembered seeing a place around here during the bus ride in on Sunday. So we decided to kind of just wing it. I would have been surprised if we didn’t come across some place to exchange cash. We left the hotel and headed towards some streets we were familiar with that are filled with tons of small storefronts that sell stuff ranging from detergent to food to jewelry to clothes to party supplies. Several blocks in and nothing yet. Thankfully, we came to another main street and found a nice Best Western hotel. (My immediate thought: Why aren’t we staying here?) I figured I’d go to the front desk and ask someone for help to make this quicker. By the end of my quick little conversation with the woman at the front desk, I had a map in hand and a boost of confidence in my navigation skills. I made a conscious effort to not stare at the map like 3 inches away from my face so that we didn't stick out anymore than we already did. About four small blocks away, we found a teller at a walk-up exchange. Quickly, I noticed the rate of 455 pesos for the American dollar. It was a quick transaction. Since I’m new to the foreign travel scene, I made sure to grab their business card/flyer just in case.
On the way back, I spotted this place adeptly named “Pitas and Wraps.” Their foods looked good, had variety and seemed very rea$onable. One thing common about these stores around here is that they are not modest. When it comes to advertising their services, so pictures and word-filled posters and employees with menus in hand on the side walk are common. Several times I have been accosted by restaurant / bar / club employees who want our business. I figured the guys back at the hotel wanted lunch so we walked back. I got dressed for the day, and about half of us went to Pitas and Wraps. Most of us were satisfied with the food. They have shawarma (Arabic wrap like a gyro), quesadillas, cold wraps, tacos, salad, falafel among other things. Their menus partially consist of sandwiches and beer/drink combos. It was a good change of type of vendor. I ordered a chicken shawarma that had sliced tomatoes and mixed lettuce on it and French fries. The food was good!!! I loved the prices!!! The service was good too. On the speaker system, the played Alicia Keys Songs in A Minor while we were there which made me like their atmosphere.
We ended coming back to the hotel instead of doing more sightseeing or shopping at these unique tiendas. Around 5:45 we met to head to a soccer game. It was pretty cold night, and it got dark by the time we got far from the hotel. So all bundled up, we headed out. After walking at least 15 minutes, we arrived to a stadium where The Ruleteros (that’s “roulette players” in English, named because of the casinos in Viña del Mar) of Chile (who have a close relationship with Everton FC) and the San Marcos de Arica team were about to play. Walking to our seats, we saw the beginnings of a fútbol craze there: street people selling team merchandise, law enforcement and people getting body searched and running to their seats. Once we made it to our seats (on cement stairs) it didn’t take long for concession vendors to find us. -- A man with powdered sugar doused churros. 500 pesos = 1 dollar. No need to think twice. Need I say more?? – There were even ladies selling cold sandwiches made of ham, cheese, avocado and chile sauce. The game soon started with 2 really intense rhythm sections on opposite ends of the stadium that rooted for los Ruleteros. Kids rough housed and emulated the players by the field. It ended up being a good game though the scores were tied. At the end, I heard lots of whistling and even a rowdy crowd of kids in the street. I believe a military vehicle parked by the stadium even revved up and sped past us. It reminded me of how great a game soccer is and the time when I used to play it. I liked it!!
We soon came back. We got ready to hang out. We spent a couple hours at Alcazaba, a karaoke bar. For 2000 pesos, I tried a Primavera sin licor which is a simple drink made of orange juice, pineapple and grenadine. It was really good. Then a smaller group of us went to a discoteca and danced for bit.
For the only Saturday I’ll spend in Chile (at least for a while), it was good and relaxing. Most of all, I got to participate in some laid-back and typical Chilean activities.
That’s all for now!!
Hasta mañana,
~Briana
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