Amigos y creepy hostels

We arrived with an hour to kill before we were supposed to meet Church John. I stopped in a flower shop and got directions to the University. We walked to the University where we were meeting him, and we were going to chill in the lounge area, but there were no open tables. So we went to the library, where everyone was feverishly studying for finals, and chilled there. Things I noted included the abundant signage warning against theft and a “sound room” where apparently you rented out headphones and could listen to some kind of music.

Thankfully everything worked out, and we were able to meet up with John and his roommate. We walked through Valpo, taking it all in, and headed to possibly the sketchiest restaurant in town. It’s one of those restaurants that has to be recommended to you, you know? We actually passed it, and then John saw the sign, which was covered in graffiti, and then you go down this dark alleyway, and it’s the last open door on the left. I forgot what the dish is called, but it’s a greasy conglomeration of fries, eggs, onions, and carne. It was really good, and we were eating at the place that invented it. Apparently you can find it in Houston now.

We took the bus, which also only accepted moneda, and headed to our hostel. It was on a windy, mildly sketchy rode, but we noticed a lot of university people, so we were cool. Then, we arrived at the gate. From the gate, you walk up about 20 steep steps. At the top of the hill, you walk another minute path to the house. The house was like an old plantation house, and extremely deserted. Everything seemed to check out though, and we were able to pay with US dollars, so that was another bonus.

We set up our stuff, then headed to a local joint to try a Chilean drink – Piscola. We chilled out there for a while, then I was ready to sleep because I was just absolutely exhausted! So back to the hostel, said goodnight to the boys, checked Internet, then went to bed. P.S. It was REALLY cold when we were in Chile. John said the day we arrived was the coldest it had been. Somehow woke up with two blankets on me instead of one, not sure how that happened except that one of the hostel people must’ve done it, so that was kind of creepy.