The New Year!
New Year's Eve in Santiago is a bit strange. Most cities put on the ritz for the big holiday, not quite the case in Santiago. It was more like a fort, with nearly every business shutting at 2pm and restaurants too. Some did stay open to help tourists like us ring in the new year on full bellies. We didn't have any plans so the four of us headed to the Belles Artes/Bohemia area of downtown. A great walk along the dirty river. Seeing as most places were closed or don't open until late 9ish, it was hard to tell what our options were at 8:30pm.
So, we meandered up and down the streets, trying to assess the options and make the proper choice for the evening. The karaoke bars, yes, there were more then one, were immediately ruled out do to excessively loud and bad music. We finally settled on a cute place on the corner with red and white checkered linens. A quick perusal of the menu labeled it adequate for the nights festivities. Luckily, there was a table of 4 waiting for the Mosier clan. Our very perky and facially expressive waitress got right to work on our Pisco Sours. Those went down quickly so round two was ordered right away. The restaurant had a large group platter, which included innards, identified by our waitress with a rubbing of the bellly and a foul look on her face. We decided to pass.
The food, adequate, the wine, horrible and a weird brown color, but the company, awesome. We laughed at the funny restaurant and our expressive server, and at the fact that we were drinking horrible Spanish wine (Sangre de Toro or Bull's blood) in Santiago. We may have been influenced slightly by the awesome name. But we couldn't linger too long, we had bubbles and fireworks to enjoy. Luckily, our taxi had a need for speed on the empty roads and we arrived, literally right on time. Jumping out of the cab as we saw the first flicker of color hit the night sky. Todd and I enjoyed a moment under the fireworks before we set off down the street to retrieve our bubbles. We discovered we ran down the street a little too late, so we were a tad winded when we returned to the park bubbleless. The fireworks lasted 10minutes, maybe. We all decided that Santiago should consolidate its fireworks for a bigger and badder production next year. Luckily, the full moon was there to amaze us. It was beautiful!
We
walked the two blocks back to the hotel. Sitting in the living room area of the hotel, we talked shop and economics and happily sipped away on our bubbly glasses. Overall it was a great way to ring in the New Year!
The next morning we all slept in and rendezvoused over breakfast before hopping on our rented bikes. Since the entire city was completely shut down,
we were free to tootle down the roads without fear of being hit by a car. It was great to bike around the little neighborhoods, through the city, along the river and eventually to the market, the one spot that was open in town. It was packed, but luckily we got there in the nick of time, a table for 4 was again waiting for the Mosier clan. So were 4 cold beers and a monster King Crab. I was liking this new year's day. I don't remember ever eating King Crab, but this one I will remember. It was damn good!
We returned the bikes and had one last beer at the american bar, California. Dale was able to catch the end of Penn State vs. LSU bowl game, where Penn State pulled through with the win. Sadly, we parted ways after that; Todd and I to the bus station and Dale and Jeanne to the airport.
Our travels with Dale and Jeanne were great. Together we were able to explore Chile and Argentina; Enjoy their beauty, food, and culture. It was a wonderful treat. But now, Todd and I are back on our own. Waiting for this new chapter of our journey here in Mendoza. We have traveled down from Mexico City. The only date in our minds was when the Mosiers were to arrive in Buenos Aires, Dec. 7th. Now that trip has come and gone and we are here. It feels a tad surreal. Yet, I am so excited. We spent the morning wandering the streets armed with pen and paper to jot down rental numbers. It is time to find a place to live, then we will work on the jobs. Not ready to return home but ready to unpack for awhile. The uncertainty of 2010 is a little daunting, but the excitement of it all out weighs anything else. We are blessed to have had such a wonderful adventure so far. So whatever happens at this point, it is good to know that the past has been kind to us. I am ready for 2010!