especially when getting off the nearest metro and confronted with more graffiti than buildings. And when google maps tells you to head northeast, but you don't know which way that is, the modern-day princess can't just ask her coachman. She can't ask her phone, either, without wifi.
The Andes are east. But I can't see them from Universidad Catolica-- or rather, I can't see the mountains when I'm looking slightly above eye level for street signs... street signs that just aren't there. Or are across the 6 lane street that I JUST can't read from this side. While dragging your heavy suitcase behind you on a surprisingly warm winter day, such predicaments can cause you to lose your head, never mind wishing it on everyone else.
I called the hostel, but the guy who answered (in English, but also only with, "Hello?" rather than, "Poker Hostel,") agreed with everything I said, rather than providing me with the mountains of info I lacked in how the HELL to get there. Of course, royalty are accustomed to unthinking agreement, but not when asking their advisors for their advice. Asking for help on the street, just as my first time in Las Condes, resulted in the native telling me to go back to where I started-- I'd passed it again. So I took a cab... who ALSO didn't know where it was. He was able to get his phone to direct HIM, down a very narrow street that narrowed too much in front of a shabby looking hotel to keep driving. He indicated I should stay in the car while he got out & walked. This did nothing to alleviate my frustration. But apparently, he went on foot to determine that the hostel's address was indeed around the bend up ahead, which we'd need to walk.
Once again I was surprised to find a Chilean going out of their way to help me, in this case by insisting on dragging my heavy suitcase for me, all the way up to the front desk. There were some hippy accents to the tiny lobby, but what sent it over the top was the unpleasant smell of incense mixing with diesel.
Despite it all, I was pleasantly surprised to be shown to a small but bright, clean, tidy room, across from an equally-clean looking bathroom. And kitchen. And even more so when I was told that this room was just for tonight: tomorrow I would be moved to a bigger, nicer room for no charge.
And it actually is nicer, and bigger. I'm hoping that there's cable so I can watch CSI & NCIS with Spanish subtitles on AXN, just as I did with Roberto's mom. We shall see.
And as for the surroundings, once you turned off Alameda O'Higgins (which is what the natives call it, rather than this O'Higgins guy's actual full name, the buildings become cute. Walk left instead of going straight, and you are in one of Lastarria's restaurant malls, where you can order a really tasty, completely Paleo meal if you wish.
So all is not lost, even if I usually am.
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