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Solfari
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Places
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Endurance
: Clubbing
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Over the first 10 days of my trip, I didn't really go out to visit
the local establishments in the way that I expected. Due to the
significant language barrier and the fact that I couldn't find any Irish
pubs in Montevideo or Valparaiso, I kept a low profile in the evenings
and read some books, watched a few movies dubbed in Spanish and ventured
out
for the Copa Libertadores matches with Santiago Wanderers or Universidad
Catolica.
Upon arriving in Santiago, however, I had bigger plans with the local
Irish pubs marked on my Lonely Planet map! Locating Flannery's Geoirish
Pub and The Dublin were my primary focus of my first day. Being
adept at uncovering the local Irish pub, I went to work that night and
discovered that these pubs were no comparison to the Kilkenny in Buenos
Aires. Dejected, I returned home early that night and thought about
giving up on the whole idea. |
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Craig, Gabriel, Ariel, Fernando (flexing)
Santiago, Chile
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However, the next night, I realized that the denizens of Santiago, like
the rest of Latin America, didn't begin breaking the night until around
midnight. So, I wrote postcards and passed time until about 10:30
that evening.
Then, sensing the time was right, I entered the night looking for a
direction. I had reread the Lonely Planet section on Pubs and decided
to try Bar Sin Nombre. It was inaccessible via
the subway so I hopped into the first taxi that appeared.
Whether it's luck or skill, I entered the taxi driven by Sergio, a portly
Chilean who spoke no English. Once again, I broke out my limited language
skills and map to direct him to take me to the Plaza Nuñoa area.
Mistake #1.
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Sergio said that this bar was "thumbs down" and he was right. I
walked in, glanced around and quickly retreated back to his taxi. There
was no one in the place and it was already 10:30. I relented and told
him to take me to the club that he had been recommending, XXXXXXXX. Seemingly
Mistake #2.
The taxi took off like a bat out of hell and we never slowed down to less
than 30 mph but magically, the drive seemed to take forever. I hadn't
even had a drink yet but I could tell that we were in the suburbs and a loooong
way from home. Nervously, I asked how much farther and he said that
it was just a little further. After about half an hour in the taxi
and a $13 fare, which is unheard of in Chile, we arrived at XXXXXXXX.
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Sergio called over the doorman as we arrived. He seemed hesitant
but since there was essentially no one there at 11:30, he obliged. I
heard the ensuing conversation contain the word "Americano" and began thinking
about calling it a night to keep from causing any trouble. That would
clearly have been mistake #3 for the night.
Luckilly, I held firm and the doorman returned to his post and sent 3 other
fellows over to the taxi. After Sergio relieved himself in his trunk,
true story, the lead guy asked me in English what was going on. I
briefly explained that this club was recommended by the taxi driver and
that he brought me there. They conferred for a second and asked me
if I wanted to join them.
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Gabriel and Craig
Santiago, Chile
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Within 5 minutes, we were fast friends discussing such important topics
as Argentina's World Cup hopes, the legendary Kilkenny in Buenos Aires, Monday
Night Football and the difference between Argentine and Chilean men. Everything
was turning out all right as I entered the club with my new friends Ariel,
Fernando and Gabriel around midnight!
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2 Chilean Friends
Santiago, Chile
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We entered the club and there were a fair number of people around. Besides
me, the other glaring thing that was different in the club was MTV's Jackass
projected behind the dance floor.
Regardless, my new amigos said that they would find some women who
spoke English for me. I pretended to reluctantly agree but they knew
better! Within minutes, they called me over to meet 2 women and said
that they spoke English.
I bounded over and introduced myself to blank stares. I asked in Spanish
if they spoke English and received a firm no.
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I turned around and my new friends were off working the floor like senatorial
candidates. Was this a joke? I don't know but it was funny anyway.
We did a few rounds of shots amongst ourselves before convincing 2 women
to join us. After they realized that I didn't speak much Spanish, they
offered to buy another round of shots. Since I couldn't decline their
offer in Spanish and they didn't speak English either, we all became fast
friends.
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We all danced until 5:30 in the morning. At that time, the club began
emptying and I was put into a taxi with instructions from my friends to the
taxi driver how to get back to the Bed and Breakfast.
I had a great time and was fortunate to meet Ariel, Gabriel and Fernando
even though we only were able to spend 1 evening together living the high
life.
But before leaving, I extended an open offer to visit Chicago where I would
return the favor of introducing them to women who speak Spanish although
if history is any indication, they don't need any of my help!
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Lorena and Craig
Santiago, Chile
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Solfari
:
Places
:
Endurance
: Clubbing
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