I am happy to announce that our project worked: Today is the first day of Japanese school for Beatriz and Angelica. When I told Beatriz that she could really start she screamed happily! I think they are very exited to start at a better school.
After many calls with the colegio japones (school secretary and administrator) and the kids I succeeded in organizing everything. It was a pleasure to do it as the school is indeed extremely helpful and reliable.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
The Center of the World
Route: somewhere - Madrid - Zürich
Time: 7am - 5pm
Highlights: We arrive in Madrid quite on time and it's still dark. As we didn't quite exactly sleep on the flight we are rather tired (Peter almost falls asleep in the Metro later on). Peter - restless as ever - luckily insists that we go into town as our flight only leaves at three o'clock in the after noon. A good decision. The weather is beautiful and within a mere 40 minutes we travel to the center.
It may only take 35 minutes to get into town but it takes you longer to get to the metro in the first place. Madrid's airport Barajas is a big one (some terminals seem as far apart as the airport Kloten from Zürich) and then it's under construction. And since we also have to get a boarding pass for our last stub of the trip, we probably get to the Puerta del Sol after 9am. Still early enough to see Madrid deserted. Our senses are used to faded colors so getting out of the underground is like discovering a new world of colors: The buildings are almost shiny (and very well maintained). It's a pleasure to stroll around. At Sol, you'll find Spain's km zero. We find our way to the Plaza Mayor, my camera's clicking away - I still have lots of storage space. Time for a rich (healthy start) breakfast: Peter is longing for a good expresso, while I'm drooling over ham sandwiches. As soon as I order them I see they have Churros, so I add a portion of them (I probably had them more than 10 years ago, when I was in Andalusia with Oliver) with thick hot chocolate. I feel good again. Strengthened we take off to the Palacio Real. Then we slowly head back past the Teatro Real and allow ourselves a little shopping (another thing we haven't done in 5 weeks). El Corte Ingles is the place to go (Peter still needs to get a little souvenir for his daughter Palma, I go and check out the DVD section for a Spanish flick (I find Volver from Almodovar). Then back to the airport. Thanks to me we are way too early at the gate - next time I'll be more relaxed.
The last hop is a beautiful flight as the visibility is excellent all the way up. Finally, some 30 hours after getting up in Arica we're home in one piece from a extraordinary trip with many great things to remember.
Obviously, I'll be back.
Oh, we know we are back in Switzerland. The officers at the Swiss passport counters are as unfriendly as ever - I miss some of these guys in Chile. What a difference it makes to be received by a friendly greeting - or not.
Tip of the day: Madrid is a good round up of a South America trip - it's were it all started (beauty for some, misery for others). For a few Euros you get the Madrid Transportes day-pass and the underground takes you right into the city (no. 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, no. 10 to Tribunal and no. 1 to Sol; connections and frequencies are great). Do not hesitate to ask at the big Metro information center in the airport before you head into town. They are very helpful.
Intermezzo: No luggage. Don't be too quick to say, oh, these Chileans. The 8 hours of change-over time in Madrid were not sufficient for the backpack to get to the right plane. Basically all passengers from Santiago were waiting for their stuff in vain. The good thing is, we don't need to drag our 20kg sack home - it will be delivered to the door step two days later.
Temperatures: higher 20°C's (as before I have no summer cloths, my feet are stuck in heavy boots and they fell as they "a bit" swollen.
Hotel: none
Restaurant: a little bar just off Plaza Mayor
The last food note: Now I swear this is the last comment on food. A slice of Pata Negra jamón (cured ham) and some churros dunked in hot chocolate compensates for almost 5 weeks of simple meals and reminds me that I actually enjoy eating (and love Spain).
Time: 7am - 5pm
Highlights: We arrive in Madrid quite on time and it's still dark. As we didn't quite exactly sleep on the flight we are rather tired (Peter almost falls asleep in the Metro later on). Peter - restless as ever - luckily insists that we go into town as our flight only leaves at three o'clock in the after noon. A good decision. The weather is beautiful and within a mere 40 minutes we travel to the center.
It may only take 35 minutes to get into town but it takes you longer to get to the metro in the first place. Madrid's airport Barajas is a big one (some terminals seem as far apart as the airport Kloten from Zürich) and then it's under construction. And since we also have to get a boarding pass for our last stub of the trip, we probably get to the Puerta del Sol after 9am. Still early enough to see Madrid deserted. Our senses are used to faded colors so getting out of the underground is like discovering a new world of colors: The buildings are almost shiny (and very well maintained). It's a pleasure to stroll around. At Sol, you'll find Spain's km zero. We find our way to the Plaza Mayor, my camera's clicking away - I still have lots of storage space. Time for a rich (healthy start) breakfast: Peter is longing for a good expresso, while I'm drooling over ham sandwiches. As soon as I order them I see they have Churros, so I add a portion of them (I probably had them more than 10 years ago, when I was in Andalusia with Oliver) with thick hot chocolate. I feel good again. Strengthened we take off to the Palacio Real. Then we slowly head back past the Teatro Real and allow ourselves a little shopping (another thing we haven't done in 5 weeks). El Corte Ingles is the place to go (Peter still needs to get a little souvenir for his daughter Palma, I go and check out the DVD section for a Spanish flick (I find Volver from Almodovar). Then back to the airport. Thanks to me we are way too early at the gate - next time I'll be more relaxed.
The last hop is a beautiful flight as the visibility is excellent all the way up. Finally, some 30 hours after getting up in Arica we're home in one piece from a extraordinary trip with many great things to remember.
Obviously, I'll be back.
Oh, we know we are back in Switzerland. The officers at the Swiss passport counters are as unfriendly as ever - I miss some of these guys in Chile. What a difference it makes to be received by a friendly greeting - or not.
Tip of the day: Madrid is a good round up of a South America trip - it's were it all started (beauty for some, misery for others). For a few Euros you get the Madrid Transportes day-pass and the underground takes you right into the city (no. 8 to Nuevos Ministerios, no. 10 to Tribunal and no. 1 to Sol; connections and frequencies are great). Do not hesitate to ask at the big Metro information center in the airport before you head into town. They are very helpful.
Intermezzo: No luggage. Don't be too quick to say, oh, these Chileans. The 8 hours of change-over time in Madrid were not sufficient for the backpack to get to the right plane. Basically all passengers from Santiago were waiting for their stuff in vain. The good thing is, we don't need to drag our 20kg sack home - it will be delivered to the door step two days later.
Temperatures: higher 20°C's (as before I have no summer cloths, my feet are stuck in heavy boots and they fell as they "a bit" swollen.
Hotel: none
Restaurant: a little bar just off Plaza Mayor
The last food note: Now I swear this is the last comment on food. A slice of Pata Negra jamón (cured ham) and some churros dunked in hot chocolate compensates for almost 5 weeks of simple meals and reminds me that I actually enjoy eating (and love Spain).
Friday, August 17, 2007
Red-eye Day
Route: Arica - Santiago de Chile - somewhere over the Atlantic
Time: 4:15am - next day
Highlights: Although we went to bed early 4:15 is early to be woken. A short shower does the trick of feeling awake (but doesn't get rid of the red eyes), while Ross from the Sunny Days is preparing a breakfast for us. What a great service. And we can enjoy his orange jelly for a last time. The taxi arrives over-punctual at 4:55. Peter packs his last things away and we are on the short 15' trip to Chacalluta. At 5:20 the airport is deserted, probably I am lucky that the doors are open. The flight is scheduled for 7 o'clock.
At 5:55 - after going over my only magazine for the fifth time - the check-in counters of LAN Chile open up. First in line, YES (I feel as if I was trying to get an iPhone the first day of sales). After I had to dump my century old clay chips (see day ???) at the hotel as I was fearing my baggage would be too heavy, I am relieved that I "just" have 21 kg (I damn these terrorists that forced the airlines to adapt all regulations, how can anyone get away with 20kg). Of course that doesn't include my 10kg carry-on luggage (of camera, batteries and other electronic gadgetry). Actually they should take into consideration the weight of the passenger - I am sure I lost a pound or two...
LAN Chile is very reliable, we have a short stop-over in Antofagasta were we arrive at 8:05 and take off at 9. Shortly after we land in Santiago at 10:35. There is no time for a a trip into town (not that we miss it) as we leave again at 12:15 after going through customs. We're set for a 12.5 hour flight. While the LAN flight operated by Iberia is comfy (and leg room is sufficient) there is only some dozing possible - luckily the film program is poor so I try to sleep as much as possible.
Tip of the day: Try to get a seat on the left side (letters A, B) to get the full views of all the mountains you have seen from below. You may have to do this when you book the flight as they couldn't change it for me.
Tip of the day 2: If you are taking the plane at the airport Chacalluta of Arica, you definitively do NOT need to be there 2 hours before. One is more than sufficient. Ross told us so, but I wouldn't listen and planned too much safety into it... And the cab ride is just 15 minutes and the fare is about 10 USD (5000 pesos).
Intermezzo: It's a tough start for Peter today. As we are approaching the airport he realizes that he misses something. So he takes the cab back to the hostal where he finds that he doesn't miss anything, so back again. Luckily there is plenty of time! Later on at the gate he cannot find the boarding pass, so back to the line at the check-in. He makes it for the flight no problem and can relax for the next hours and enjoy the fantastic views of the Cordillera.
Temperatures: No indications as we spend the day in an airplane.
Hotel: Seat 35 H on a Airbus
Restaurant: nothing worth mentioning from LAN Chile or Iberia
Time: 4:15am - next day
Highlights: Although we went to bed early 4:15 is early to be woken. A short shower does the trick of feeling awake (but doesn't get rid of the red eyes), while Ross from the Sunny Days is preparing a breakfast for us. What a great service. And we can enjoy his orange jelly for a last time. The taxi arrives over-punctual at 4:55. Peter packs his last things away and we are on the short 15' trip to Chacalluta. At 5:20 the airport is deserted, probably I am lucky that the doors are open. The flight is scheduled for 7 o'clock.
At 5:55 - after going over my only magazine for the fifth time - the check-in counters of LAN Chile open up. First in line, YES (I feel as if I was trying to get an iPhone the first day of sales). After I had to dump my century old clay chips (see day ???) at the hotel as I was fearing my baggage would be too heavy, I am relieved that I "just" have 21 kg (I damn these terrorists that forced the airlines to adapt all regulations, how can anyone get away with 20kg). Of course that doesn't include my 10kg carry-on luggage (of camera, batteries and other electronic gadgetry). Actually they should take into consideration the weight of the passenger - I am sure I lost a pound or two...
LAN Chile is very reliable, we have a short stop-over in Antofagasta were we arrive at 8:05 and take off at 9. Shortly after we land in Santiago at 10:35. There is no time for a a trip into town (not that we miss it) as we leave again at 12:15 after going through customs. We're set for a 12.5 hour flight. While the LAN flight operated by Iberia is comfy (and leg room is sufficient) there is only some dozing possible - luckily the film program is poor so I try to sleep as much as possible.
Tip of the day: Try to get a seat on the left side (letters A, B) to get the full views of all the mountains you have seen from below. You may have to do this when you book the flight as they couldn't change it for me.
Tip of the day 2: If you are taking the plane at the airport Chacalluta of Arica, you definitively do NOT need to be there 2 hours before. One is more than sufficient. Ross told us so, but I wouldn't listen and planned too much safety into it... And the cab ride is just 15 minutes and the fare is about 10 USD (5000 pesos).
Intermezzo: It's a tough start for Peter today. As we are approaching the airport he realizes that he misses something. So he takes the cab back to the hostal where he finds that he doesn't miss anything, so back again. Luckily there is plenty of time! Later on at the gate he cannot find the boarding pass, so back to the line at the check-in. He makes it for the flight no problem and can relax for the next hours and enjoy the fantastic views of the Cordillera.
Temperatures: No indications as we spend the day in an airplane.
Hotel: Seat 35 H on a Airbus
Restaurant: nothing worth mentioning from LAN Chile or Iberia
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Strolling through Town
Route:
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Intermezzo:
Temperatures:
Hotel:
Restaurant:
Time:
Highlights:
Tip of the day:
Intermezzo:
Temperatures:
Hotel:
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
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