Hello Old friend.

Well it almost seems that way. It has been a while since my last post. I suppose a few things have happened, we are now in a 2 bed apartment and have received our airfreight stuff (which Alyssa thought was fantastic- almost like Christmas for her).

The Apartment is in the same block as the 1 bed one and is right across the road from the beach. Having Alyssa in her own bedroom is great although she is really struggling to go to bed by herself at the moment. We think she is and has been going through so much that we have kind of just let her have us there to fall asleep. She is also cutting all 4 of her 2 year old Molars- not too nice :(.

I am getting around okay in Antofagasta, still know very little Spanish but I am starting to know what I will be asked and know how to answer. I will start some Spanish Lessons just not sure when- Sebastian still needs his Friday's off to organise a few things like getting a local drivers licence- he needs it to be able to drive on site. I will have to get one too but I will see what I need to do to get it first.

We are looking at putting Alyssa into school next year- kids start around 3 in playgroup (like kindy) it is the 5 days but only 1/2 days. I think she needs it she is a total sponge at the moment and is picking everything up so fast.

We still are not sure about the house we looked at. So many security issues and it is expensive. We have even discussed living in an apartment- some 4 bed apartments here are bigger then a lot of houses. So the hunt continues. Our sea freight stuff does not even arrive in Chile until next month anyway.

So last Friday was dieciocho (18th September) Chilean independence day. We watched the parade, went to the Ramada and the rodeo- I think it is important for Alyssa and myself to immerse into these cultural events and activities. Alyssa loved it and was trying to dance at the Ramada.

For all you interested in my crafting stuff- I have some yummy yummy fabrics coming from the US. Thanks Steph for letting me use your postal address. In the mean time I have been playing around with Photoshop- which I am totally enjoying.


So here is a list of observations that I have made so far- some are silly :)

1. When driving those signs that have a number to tell you how fast to go, are really only there because they look nice.
2. Crossings and waiting for the Green walk man are only for foreigners or those who want to be like foreigners
3. Prams are either very expensive or people really like to carry their kids. Small little newborns with huge blankets are commonly seen being carried by mums and dads.
4. Rubbish bins are like speed signs- they are only there to look nice.
5. I am an alien- well it feels like it with everyone staring- especially when I talk hehe.
6. There are more Aussies here- the school we want to put Alyssa into is an International school where everything is in English- a few of the teachers are Aussies.
7. I really should stop going to Maccas- like I have said before Port Augusta Maccas is SOOOOOOOO much better. Oh and when I ask for no onion on a burger I would still like sauce!
8. When the people pack my bags at the grocery store (you give them change to do this-it is their way to earn money- not paid) expect them to look over every single item as if they have never ever seen it before.
9. it is dusty very very very dusty- my poor car is sooooo dusty but I would need to wash it every day to keep it clean.
10. Groceries, especially produce is sooooooooooooooo cheap. The other day 2kgs of lemons for 80c (AUD)...Bananas are usually under $1 and so are Apples.
11. You can still get sunburnt here- I did hehe
12. I am still trying to get my head around carrying 10,000 and 20,000 CLP notes- I mean it sounds huge.
13. Banks are useless- I won't say more it would end up being a HUGE post.
14. Everything is later here- things start open later but then they close later too.

So all in all- I can't get my twisties and some of the sauces and Tuscan seasoning (can someone give me the ingredients list off the label-maybe I can make my own) I am surviving and not hating being here. I think this surprises a lot of people- I am just doing what needs to be done and experiencing a whole new world (without the flying carpets hehe).
Until next time Chao.

What's new??

Well lots is new actually. So much has happened since my last blog post. I am not even sure where to start.

Let's start with the great stuff. WE HAVE A NEW CAR. We bought a new Jeep compass Limited in Silver- it is soooo pwetty. It has leather seats and a sunroof. But we bought it for all the safety features it has. I love driving it around and feel very safe in it which after this week is pretty important.












So the not so great stuff- I had a truck run into the hire car. Not massively bad but still, and he did not stop grrrr. I was not in the wrong but we will still have to pay out the insurance- not a good thing. I had actually said to Sebastian that I really did not want to drive that day and told him to take the car but he was stubborn and made me have the car.













What else has happened. Sebastian's parents came to visit- Alyssa LOVED it. She loves her Omi and Tata. It was great because they were able to help me out with things in Spanish (I am still to have Spanish Lessons organised). I took my MIL to the seafood market to have some seafood empanada's they were not as good as last time but still nice.













We move out of the Radisson this weekend and into a one bed apartment- that part is not so great but it has a kitchen. I really really need a kitchen. I need to be able to cook and not buy food out all the time- I have put on weight and HATE IT.

Everyone is getting geared up for the 18th of September- the national Independence day. You have to put a flag out the front of your house, it is illegal if you don't.

On the house front we have found one but there is a lot of security that is needed to make it safe and it is having renos done to it. We are waiting to hear back about this one. Hope fully we get it as it will fit all our stuff.

Oh and I have been fumbling through buying things at stores- I need to get better at it I think and have a note pad to get things written down to work them out.

Anyway that is it for now...Here are some piccies from around town