Tuesday, 16 September 2014
It's Malaysia Day! But I am half way around the world. Truth be told, the only thing I miss about Malaysia is my long pillow (bolster). Sure, I think about my family, friends and dogs but I'm constantly in touch with them so I don't really miss them.
Today is a half past 6 day. I tried looking for hotels / hostels in San Pedro de Atacama but either they were all sold out on the dates I arrive, or they are extremely expensive. I had my eyes on one hostel in particular, it's called Hostal Candelaria, it's quite near the centre of town and reasonably priced. But yesterday when I checked it was fully booked. When I tried again this morning they had a room, so I quickly booked it. Then I went to the bus station to buy my ticket to San Pedro de Atacama, but the guy at the station, who is really very nice, said all the tickets are sold out, and I will have to take a bus to Arica, and then another bus from Arica to San Pedro de Atacama. It was fine by me so I bought the ticket.
Then I retuned to the hotel and Philip asked me which hotel I booked and I forwarded the confirmation email to him, and he then pointed out that the hotel I booked was in Argentina and not in Chile! In my haste, I had booked a hotel with the same name but in a different country! Sweet mother of lord. I cancelled the booking, checked out of the hotel at about 12 noon and went to the bus station.
And guess what? My bus ticket is for tomorrow, not today. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. It's a real problem trying to understand Spanish and making them understand English. But the guy at the station was really nice, his name is also Carlos, he let me leave my heavy suitcase at the station, and recommended a hotel for me to stay in for tonight for just 15 soles but with a shared bathroom (beggars can't be choosers) and here I am now. I also asked him about a place to stay in San Pedro de Atacama, and he said he had a friend working in the tourist information centre in Arica, and I should go and see her about a hotel once I arrive in Arica. I have exhausted my internet search for hotels / hostels / bed and breakfasts / specialty lodging in San Pedro de Atacama, so I will just have to see what happens in Arica.
What an upside down day. But I am not upset. In fact, I am damn proud of myself for taking it easy today and going with the flow. The Sheila before leaving for South America would've gotten so upset with what happened and felt so sorry for herself. This is the difference when one is stressed out in life and when one is not. Currently I am not. And now, I must figure out what to do for the rest of the day until my bus in the evening tomorrow.
It's Malaysia Day! But I am half way around the world. Truth be told, the only thing I miss about Malaysia is my long pillow (bolster). Sure, I think about my family, friends and dogs but I'm constantly in touch with them so I don't really miss them.
Today is a half past 6 day. I tried looking for hotels / hostels in San Pedro de Atacama but either they were all sold out on the dates I arrive, or they are extremely expensive. I had my eyes on one hostel in particular, it's called Hostal Candelaria, it's quite near the centre of town and reasonably priced. But yesterday when I checked it was fully booked. When I tried again this morning they had a room, so I quickly booked it. Then I went to the bus station to buy my ticket to San Pedro de Atacama, but the guy at the station, who is really very nice, said all the tickets are sold out, and I will have to take a bus to Arica, and then another bus from Arica to San Pedro de Atacama. It was fine by me so I bought the ticket.
Then I retuned to the hotel and Philip asked me which hotel I booked and I forwarded the confirmation email to him, and he then pointed out that the hotel I booked was in Argentina and not in Chile! In my haste, I had booked a hotel with the same name but in a different country! Sweet mother of lord. I cancelled the booking, checked out of the hotel at about 12 noon and went to the bus station.
And guess what? My bus ticket is for tomorrow, not today. I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. It's a real problem trying to understand Spanish and making them understand English. But the guy at the station was really nice, his name is also Carlos, he let me leave my heavy suitcase at the station, and recommended a hotel for me to stay in for tonight for just 15 soles but with a shared bathroom (beggars can't be choosers) and here I am now. I also asked him about a place to stay in San Pedro de Atacama, and he said he had a friend working in the tourist information centre in Arica, and I should go and see her about a hotel once I arrive in Arica. I have exhausted my internet search for hotels / hostels / bed and breakfasts / specialty lodging in San Pedro de Atacama, so I will just have to see what happens in Arica.
What an upside down day. But I am not upset. In fact, I am damn proud of myself for taking it easy today and going with the flow. The Sheila before leaving for South America would've gotten so upset with what happened and felt so sorry for herself. This is the difference when one is stressed out in life and when one is not. Currently I am not. And now, I must figure out what to do for the rest of the day until my bus in the evening tomorrow.
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