Couch Surfing Sux

I don´t know whether all of you are familiar with the Couch Surfing project, you can check it out on the link to the right, but it sux!

Mi primer experienco, was destroyed when the mother fucker who was keen to accomodate me over NYE in Valparaiso let me down. I was pretty excited to check it all out considering Valpi (as it is known) gets packed as it has the biggest fireworks display in the southern hemisphere and accommodation prices sky rocket if not sell out weeks in advance. I had actually contacted a couple of places as back up a few months ago, but also received confirmation from the hijo de la puta, that I was good to go so didn´t bother following through elsewhere.

Rang the guy yesterday (the day before I leave for Valpi), as per his instructons, and he had forgotten I was coming down and is out of town. I thought I´d buy a bus ticket anyway and sus it out when I got here. Luckily El Grande is a bit of a sweet talker and the Spanish is starting to improve so I found myself a cama. Mind you, it is costing me AU$60 a night and isn´t exactly the Ritz, but what are you gonna do?

God damn whoever put me onto this thing in the first place, you know I´m looking at you Adelle!

Have a great New Years Eve everbody, be bad but be safe!

Stop Uno: Chile

Well I made it! It still hasn't sunk in but I've been in Chile now for about 30 hours. I completely forgot how much long winded flights, combined with a 14 hour change in time fucks you up, but hey; it's worth it.

Was a walking zombie yesterday when I picked up my bag at the airport and asked myself 'why the hell did I bring so much stuff?' as I slung my 25 kilo bag onto my shoulders. The next challenge was getting to the hostel I had organised with every man and his dog wanting a bit of gringo dinero.

I made it though, showered up and hit the streets. Santiago is a nice enough city and when the smog blows away you can get a good view of the towering andes in the background. Hit a cool museum today with art from pre-columbian latin america, very cultured I know. Heading into the country tomorrow to check out a couple of wineries where tours are conducted in Espáñol. Should be a test of the rusty language that I seem to be imropoving on by the day.

Day after that I'm hitting the coast in preparation for NYE. It's gonna ROCK! Photos are still on their way.

The chronicles of Sanchez are only building momentum, plenty of action to come.

Unemployment Rocks

It's been a while, but yes, I am a bum!
I no longer have any responsibilities, have to shave (not that I did really anyway) or spend 40% of my day on the mobile phone or checking emails. Life's grand!
Hungover as anything though, maybe almost grand.

The Chronicles of Sanchez shall continue shortly.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Less than a week 2 go

Some are excited that it's only 4 sleeps til Christmas, but fuck Santa Claus; I only have 6 sleeps til the high snowy peaks & deep jungle valleys of South America!

I was going to update the blog yesterday with a week before departure, but I thought I would wait until today cause 'Less than a week 2 go' sounds even sooner. 2 days left of work, before reality will start to hit home that I won't be returning after the standard Christmas holidays. In fact the more I think about it, I don't think it will hit home until I reach the end of customs in Santiago.

Well I promised to go out with a bang, and that I did. The Christmas party got messy so me and some compadres thought that we would head to the Croft to check out Dexter play. I was a little shit faced (slightly under exagerated) but that didn't hold me back from opening my own personal bar for myself (pouring my compadres & I too many vodka & vodka & vodka drinks) whilst we perched on the private balcony that is the top of the stairwell next to the ice machine and merrily passed out.

A Rattas woke me probably half an hour later so I could be told that home time was upon us. Stumbling down the alley when sickness shall avail & throw behind a bin and much more that many probably stepped in!

Hang-overs are a bitch aren't they?

Stay tuned, the chronicles of Sanchez are about to begin.

1 week, 13 days & 3 weeks

It's taken me1 week to get over the hang over that not only saw me waking in strage surrounds but also 2 hours late for my appointment with Ramon & Lube (GM & National Business Manager). I guess that's what 20 belgian beers, some afternoon sun and a serious lack of food in the belly equates to when your spending the afternoon pissin on with the Victorian Franchisees at the Belgian Beer Garden.

I can still taste the sweetness of that first Hoegaarden!

I've got 13 days of workin the Australian Juice Market, before I say goodbye to the many amigos that I have made during my close to 5 years at Boost (but not before 1 hell of a Christmas party)!
And only 3 weeks before I board that plane to Santiago, Chile; the first stop on our 9+ months of beautiful beaches, mountains, jungles, food, culture, partying, adventures, people, atmosphere and 1 hell of a crazy experience!

Keep an eye out, you will be first to hear updates!

Over & out,

El Grande