¡Chilean Travels!
Mucho Spanish. Mucho dolor de cabeza.
Much has happened since we last blogged. We've failed miserably at learning Spanish but have seen some amazing scenery.
Our first week here in South America was sat in a class room being spoken to in Spanish 99% of which we "no intendes". We were supposed to be on the crash course but I'm sure we ended up on the intensive which is normally for people who are studying for months. By the end of the week we could say who we were and what we did, who our parents, siblings, and dog were (we don't even have a dog) but we couldn't order food, ask about transport, reserve a room, go shopping or anything else remotely useful in day to day life. I'm not convinced that every supermarket cashier wants to know that I have "dos hermanos" and that "yo soy ingenerro". Hmmm.
Anyhow we love the sound of the language and having spent a couple of weeks immersed we are now able to get by a little more. Its just hard for Nat who loves to talk! Her sign language is improving though. Hopefully there will be another opportunity to have some 1 on 1 lessons before we come home.
Picturesque Patagonia!
Travelling down with the lovely Harriet (who we met in Santiago) we arrived in Puerto Natales (or as we now pronouce it Purtoe Natals - put on your best zomerzet accent!) with nowhere to stay and took up the offer of accomodation from one of the bus stop local touts. Marias hostel was in fact her home. We felt very intrusive especially at breakfast the next day when we sat quitely whispering as the clock loudly ticked away.
Getting to and around Patagonia was an expensive little trip but it was so astounding that it was one of the best things that we have done. Arriving in the national park the next day we were amazed by the stunning scenery. Get a load of this ...
Mucho Spanish. Mucho dolor de cabeza.
Much has happened since we last blogged. We've failed miserably at learning Spanish but have seen some amazing scenery.
Our first week here in South America was sat in a class room being spoken to in Spanish 99% of which we "no intendes". We were supposed to be on the crash course but I'm sure we ended up on the intensive which is normally for people who are studying for months. By the end of the week we could say who we were and what we did, who our parents, siblings, and dog were (we don't even have a dog) but we couldn't order food, ask about transport, reserve a room, go shopping or anything else remotely useful in day to day life. I'm not convinced that every supermarket cashier wants to know that I have "dos hermanos" and that "yo soy ingenerro". Hmmm.
Anyhow we love the sound of the language and having spent a couple of weeks immersed we are now able to get by a little more. Its just hard for Nat who loves to talk! Her sign language is improving though. Hopefully there will be another opportunity to have some 1 on 1 lessons before we come home.
Picturesque Patagonia!
Travelling down with the lovely Harriet (who we met in Santiago) we arrived in Puerto Natales (or as we now pronouce it Purtoe Natals - put on your best zomerzet accent!) with nowhere to stay and took up the offer of accomodation from one of the bus stop local touts. Marias hostel was in fact her home. We felt very intrusive especially at breakfast the next day when we sat quitely whispering as the clock loudly ticked away.
Getting to and around Patagonia was an expensive little trip but it was so astounding that it was one of the best things that we have done. Arriving in the national park the next day we were amazed by the stunning scenery. Get a load of this ...
The treking up to the huts and camp sites was beautiful with the back drop of the snow capped peaks and the lush green foliage. We did a walk called the "W" walk which took us right up to the base of the "Torres del Paine". These three peaks jutt straight out of the mountain and at the base there is a turqoise melt water lake.
We met lots of lovely people on the walk including a small bunch of Brits who led us off the beaten track, through the undergrowth and up some scree in order to refind the path.
Heres a mug shot of Lynn, Harriet and us ...
posted by Selbsters @ 3:24 pm
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