Well I'm home. Thought I'd write one last blog about those last few days in Chile.
The rest of our time was spent saying bye to friends and packing. On the Thursday we had a despedida with the English teachers of Lautaro. It was at Margot's restaurant at five. I didn't leave the house til five because I didn't want to be early. I was ten minutes late and I was still the first one there. It was half an hour before more people started turning up. We had sandwiches and swiss roll with an unbelievable amount of manjar. Went home to cake!
On Friday we went into Temuco and did the last of our shopping. It was suddenly very easy. In the past we'd always gone and not known what to buy. Afterwards we went to a friends house and made brownies. They were shocked by the amount of sugar that went in. I find that strange coming from a Chilean who puts about half a packet of manjar on his pancakes! We had capoeira that evening. It was a really good lesson and they did a little leaving roda for us.
Saturday was spent with friends. Capoeira was good. I played the instruments for a while which was fun. It was really sad when we left because it was the last time we were going to see our friends. Me and Amina cried. The bus driver was sweet and waited for us to say goodbye instead of driving off. People must have wondered why two crying gringas were getting on the bus. We came back to Lautaro and were planning on a quick Once before heading back out, but we found all the family gathered in the dining room eating. We were asked to eat and spend some time so we did. I suddenly realised there was a big Happy Birthday sign up and I asked whose birthday it was, to find out it was Rutys! I was so shocked. Then I found out that it had actually been on the Wednesday! I felt so bad. I'd had no idea! I asked her why she hadn't said anything and she said that because Sergio hadn't been there it hadn't mattered to her that it was her birthday (Sergio works away from home during the week and comes back at the weekend). So we ate and had cake that was about 30% pastry and 70% manjar (we were in manjar overload by this point). We went out that evening to what we thought was a despedida with our Lautaro friends. However after waiting in the plaza for half an hour we called one and found out she was in bed! It was quite funny. So we just went home and drank tea with the family.
Sunday was our last day in Lautaro. We went out in the morning to buy mate and manjar and to visit friends. Went home for lunch. It was nice just being with the family. Spent all moments not eating or being out of the house packing. It was a little stressful and seemed to take much longer for me than it did for Amina but eventually it was all done. Ruty came up while we were packing and gave us a huge pile of presents. Mate cups, little recuerdos and Lautaro mugs. So sweet. We went out before Once to Elianas house. She gave us presents of cueca hankies and a little hanging banner that says "Welcome to my house" in Mapudungun. Really sweet. We were asked to stay and eat cake but we had to get home for Once. The last Once with the family was really nice. Ruty made sopaipillas. The whole family was there. We gave the family the present we'd got them. A hanging set of photo frames and we'd put pictures of us and the family in them. They were very happy with it.
Once
Ruty and Sergio
Agustin playing with Panchy
They were very happy with the present
After Once we finished sorting our things and then sat downstairs with the family. It was nice just chilling in front of the fire for the last time. Before we left we took photos with the family.
Panchy
Agustin wanted a hug from Nanito - but maybe not at that moment
Me and Panchy
Us with Lilli
Us with the family
Us and Ruty
Ruth and Sergio gave us a lift to the bus stop. Some friends and Margot had come too so we had a little leaving party. Too soon the bus arrived and it was time to say bye. I broke down pretty much immediately saying bye to Ruty. She's been such an amazing mum for us over the year. She's so lovely. I'm going to miss her. It was sad saying bye to our other friends as well.
We arrived in Santiago at around eight in the morning. We were going to spend the night at Eli and Fernandos house but they weren't going to arrive until later. We could have gone and seen a bit of Santiago but we didn't really want to. We decided just to flop around. Hung around in the station for about four hours before getting the metro to go and meet up with some of the other volunteers. Waiting around doesn't really bother us any more. It's just something that has to be done. We had a nice lunch in an Italian restaurant and afterwards we bought ice cream. Fernando picked us up from a nearby plaza and took us to their house. She dropped off our stuff and went out with Fernando to buy food for dinner. First he took us on a little drive around Santiago. Showed us the poor houses that are directly opposite the rich houses. There is such a contrast in Santiago. It's a bit strange.
Waiting in the bus station with all our stuff
Woke up at half seven on Tuesday morning. Had breakfast and left for the airport. Fernando gave us a lift. He was a bit more relaxed about getting there than me. Arrived with just over an hour to spare before our flight. I probably would have appreciated a little more time but it was fine. We had no problems. We'd checked in online the night before so we only had to drop off our baggage and go through security.
Getting on the plane
Chile is so skinny! From the sea to the Andes, that is Chile!
The Andes
The flight was a bit boring. 12 hours or so. As soon as I got on I just wanted it to be over. It felt like we'd been travelling pretty much since we got on the bus in Lautaro and I just wanted to get home. We chatted. Ate food. Watched the in-flight movies. Us volunteers walked around chatting to each other. It was hard to sleep. We were to arrive in Madrid at 12pm Chile time (6am Madrid time) so we were losing or prime sleeping hours. I think I got around half and hour of sleep in total.
Waiting for lunch
Somewhere over Paraguay
The Atlantic
Arrived in Madrid and we only had to change gate. It was so warm! Even at six in the morning. Waited around for an hour and a half, before getting on the flight to London.
England!
While we waited to collect our bags, Amina bought two chocolate bars that we shared. British chocolate is so much better than Chilean chocolate. We changed our pesos to pounds and then Amina met her dad. It was sad saying goodbye to Amina. It's weird not having her around all the time. I went off to check in to my flight to Scotland. It ended up being delayed by about 40 minutes. I tried not to fall asleep while I waited.
I wasn't aware that in Edinburgh airport Arrivals is kind of before baggage claim. This meant that I didn't see mum and dad until they were right in front of me. Oh it was nice seeing them again.
It was weird driving home. Kept thinking "wow I'm so far from Chile." Suddenly being really far away from people that speak Spanish was weird. Got home a few minutes before Dylan. Got mega excited when he got home. Gave him loads of hugs. He's so tall now! Although still not taller than me which he's a bit disappointed by. Haha. Yeh it's strange being home. I've called Amina a couple of times. Miss her.
I've spent the past few days catching up with friends and tidying my room. I had to do a mega clear out before I could unpack my suitcase. My clothes smell of Chile!
Back with my friends
It's nice being home. I went to the supermarket with mum and people probably thought I was crazy, walking around looking at the food going "wow look at it all!"
Just like to say thanks to everyone for all the support over the year. It was the most amazing time I've ever had. Can't wait to go travelling again! I would recommend it to anyone! Now it's on to "The Next Big Adventure" as mum calls it: university.
