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First Hostel - Italian Feast


This morning, after breakfast, I prepared to move out of the hotel and into El Sendero Hostal. This is the first authentic hostel I ever have stayed in. It is a different type of hostel as they do have private rooms, which I prefer. Before leaving the hotel I went up to the bank to withdrawal cash to pay for the room at the hostel as they do not accept any credit cards, but only cash.

I walked up to the bank and went to the cash machine. After going through the process of withdrawing the money, it went through all the steps including if accept the fee. After I clicked “yes” my card was ejected with no money. I talked to the security guard and informed him what had happened … he did not speak any English and ended up talking to one of the bank employees. They wanted me to try again, but I informed them that I had done this before and that I was charged the full amount but did not get any of the money. After approximately ten minutes, the security guard talked to someone in the back office and went to the front door. He got out his phone to translate and a gentleman who was walking by came in and translated. He informed me that I should come back tomorrow after to see if the transaction had gone through. I indicated no problem, but that I needed to get some money out and wanted the security guard there to watch if it happens again. After going through the full process, it again was spitting my card out. The security guard noticed a message that I failed to see before … “not enough funds for withdrawal”. That is why the card ejected … oops … did I feel awkward. So, I used my visa and there was no problem. I thanked the security guard and apologized. New lesson learned … read all messages. LOL

I got back to the hotel to check out two minutes before check out time and walked 5 blocks to my new accommodation for 9 days. After meeting with the cleaning lady, I had to wait over an hour for the room to be prepared. In the meantime, two people from Italy came in and I informed them that the cleaning lady was going to be awhile. We got to chatting and I told them of a couple places they could go that were cheap to eat. After a lengthy conversation I come to learn that Andrea was a chef in Italy and Chiara worked in a winery … such an interesting couple.

While chatting, another couple came in and I informed them of the wait for the cleaning lady. The other couple were also from Italy and had quite a conversation with Andrea and Chiara. After a few minutes they decided the four of them would go out to explore the town. They would try one of the restaurants that I recommended. They asked if I was interested in joining them, but after eating such a full breakfast I was not that hungry and declined their kind offer.

After getting settled in the room I decided to take a walk up to the local cemetery.

They certainly take great pride in the structures of the passing of their family members. I observed that most of the sites have the remains buried above ground. After an enjoyable walk around town, I returned to El Sendero and continued to work on my photo’s for a couple of hours. I heard the owner was in and I went out to the lobby to pay for the room.

The owner informed me that it would be a lot cheaper to pay in US dollars than in Chilean Pesos. He stated that if I paid in Chilean Pesos he would have to add the 15% VAT. I did some calculations and it would have cost me approximately $100.00USD more if I paid in Chilean Pesos.

The owner indicated no worries and to pay when I got the cash. I went back to my room and grabbed my jacket to head out for a walk, and to get something to eat. In the lobby were three of the four people from Italy and Chiara asked me if I wished to join them as they were going to buy some groceries and cook a meal back at the hostel. I was of course appreciative to the invite and joined them on the walk to the Unimark. They asked if I liked fish, etc. and I stated I would eat whatever they wished to prepare. It turned out not to be an easy process … they were going to cook fish, but could only find frozen fish. They were going to prepare a pasta dish, but could not find anchovies and a few other ingredients they needed. In the end, we picked up some yellow peppers, mushrooms, pasta, potatoes, onions, bread and wine. It was not what they were hoping for, but would be suffice. When they were talking Italian, I heard pepperoni and thought that this is what they decided to put in the pasta. I started to explain to Chiara where the pepperoni was and she informed me that pepperoni in Italian was actually the yellow peppers. Chiara said that this has been a confusing word as when Italians order pizza in other countries and ask for pepperoni, they get that meat like salami instead of the peppers that they asked for. I learned something new today.

Bruno, the other Italian gentleman paid on his visa and we would pay him in cash. To my surprise, with all that we picked up it came to 3, 000.00 Chilean Pesos each (approximately $6.00 CDN) and that included the wine!!! Bruno took the groceries back to the lodge and I joined Andrea and Chiara for a walk along the waterfront. During our conversation, both Chiara and Andrea stated that if I returned to Italy and was invited me to their region. I also invited them to visit me in Canada. Such lovely people.

I showed them where the information place was and they stopped in to grab some maps for their trek tomorrow. During the walk we talked about preparation of clothing for their trek and they asked me what we call it in Canada for many clothing articles, and I told them we call it putting on layers. They indicated that in Italy they call it “putting on like an onion”. I love this expression!

After a lovely walk and a great conversation we headed back to the hostel and Andrea started to prepare the meal. After about an hour of preparation, the gourmet meal was ready. It was a lovely meal with great company. In the photo below, from left to right: Elisabetta and Bruno; Andrea Ambrosano and Chiara Buffa.

I informed them that this was the first hostel I have stayed in and what a great experience in meeting such fine people and having a wonderful meal.


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