chile chile sauce

So, yeah, I am in Chile. Santiago is a huge city, and I have so far only seen only a little bit, due to my course obligations, and some stronger than expected jetlag. I did manage to go into the center and see some things, and one Sunday we had a free day, and we went white water rafting on the Maipo river. Of course I forgot my camera.

Some impressions in no particular order:

• My extremely limited German is screwing up my non-existent Spanish skills. I know how to say the basic stuff (si, gracias, por favor, beunos dias, etc...) but I can't stop saying ja and danke. Last night a waiter asked if the meal was good (Bien?), and I replied "sehr bien". A shameful display.
• They love sandwiches here. From my experience it is well justified. The best had charcoal grilled steak sliced super thin, topped with a generous dollop of fresh avocado. I guess it is normal to eat these sandwiches with a knife and a fork. At first I thought to myself "C'mon, it's a freakin sandwich, use your hands" (which is also my reaction to Germans who eat Pizza with silverware), but in the end it was impossible, and I had to give in before coated myself in avocado and meat juice.
• They hate the letter "s" here. Go ahead and try to order an Austral (beer) pronouncing all of the consonants in the word---they will look at you like you are crazy, until you point to the menu---"Ohhh "Ott-ral"". Si, I guess.
• The ride to the rafting was cool, once we got out of the city the side of the road was packed with small shacks with their own clay, woodfired ovens cooking empanadas---why couldn't we stop!
• I climbed the St Lucia Hill, I guess Darwin was there on his Beagle voyage, so that was cool, but it's a bit smoggy in Santiago. I also saw a bunch of these sweet lizards:

• I saw this drink being sold on the street, and thought I had to try it:
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• It seems to consist of dried peaches, reconstituted in peach nectar, poured over some kind of grain. Interesting, but I think I might have diabetes now.
• Sarah sent me a picture of how her baby belly is coming along, but was too shy to put it up herself, so I will:
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• Why does blogging take so long? I guess I will leave it at that.