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Santiago just happened to be in mid-revolution when we arrived back following our trip to the hardware store to buy a plug adaptor (some pretty fancy Spanish was used to get this). The students in Chile take any opportunity to riot and protest, a few months ago they complained that the bus ticket prices were increased. On this occasion it was something to do with student fees. Clearly they don´t have a Tony Blair government to help smooth out the problems in the world. So we were happily walking back to the hostel when we were suddenly in the middle of a large pack of students, pushing our way through them we ended up in "no mans land" between the student protesters and the police in full riot gear. Water cannons blasting towards us and with tears running down our face from the gas which had just been thrown by the police. With James at the helm he guided Anne back to the safety of the hostel.

Rain, Drink, and Deep Powder

James and Anne Walkington
2006-08-08 17:04:34

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Santiago just happened to be in mid-revolution when we arrived back following our trip to the hardware store to buy a plug adaptor (some pretty fancy Spanish was used to get this). The students in Chile take any opportunity to riot and protest, a few months ago they complained that the bus ticket prices were increased. On this occasion it was something to do with student fees. Clearly they don´t have a Tony Blair government to help smooth out the problems in the world. So we were happily walking back to the hostel when we were suddenly in the middle of a large pack of students, pushing our way through them we ended up in "no mans land" between the student protesters and the police in full riot gear. Water cannons blasting towards us and with tears running down our face from the gas which had just been thrown by the police. With James at the helm he guided Anne back to the safety of the hostel.

Fortunately the following day we were setting off on a week long bus journey around Southern Chile on the Pachamama Bus. Pachamama is the Mapache Indian word for "Mother Earth." We joined 3 other couples
Its raining outside - nothing new there for southern Chile
from England and Ireland and set off in the sun south.

It wasn´t long before it was raining and after a bonding session over coffee we arrived in our first destination, Pichilemu - a world renowned surfing beach. Despite the rain Anne and I went for a short walk along the volcanic sands before the heavens opened and we had to run back to shelter. An early start on the beers and wine followed and before long stunted conversation between the couples had turned into free flowing babble, including table football and Tango dancing!

An early start (with a headache) the following morning allowed us to set off on a 800 km drive south to Pucon. A stop at a museum owned by a former arms dealer (used to be on the US top 10 most wanted) who now has to remain in Chile to avoid arrest. ...