santiago

yesterday i arrived to santiago. i was going to get that ride from humberto, the guy in the coffee shop, but i messed up. it was sunday, so i didn´t really think about the fact that there would be lighter bus service than other days, because believe it or not, some cultures actually slow down on the weekends, and recognize a day of relaxation...away from work -- so there i was waiting for about 20 minutes at the bus stop, starting to freak out a bit because i was really cutting it close for my meeting time. then, to my joy, a bus comes around the corner. i wait for all the elderly, and ladies to get on, then i step in and find a spot where my bags wont be in the way too much. the bus is already going. i would never claim to know the city of porto, but i knew that we were headed generally in the right direction. but after a number of stops, i was thinking to myself, "at some point this bus is going to need to turn off its current course and start making for the city center." finally, and much too late, i looked at one of the bus stops we came to checking which bus numbers stop there, and mine wasn´t posted at that stop...yeah, i was on the wrong bus.

at this point i got off the bus, went to the nearby park, with a killer lion-topped monument, and ate a bocadillo (sandwich). then i made my way to the bus station, and waited to take the ridiculously long bus to get here, in santiago.

i really like this city. it is raining today, and i really need to do my laundry, so it almost feels like portland, almost like home. however...i am alone, and my family and friends aren´t here, so not too much like home actually.

much love to everyone.

ps. can someone give me grandma lola´s address, i think she would really appreciate a card or something. and if anyone else really wants a card, you should just tell me, i will send one.