Jac Attack Part One

My college roommate and first faithful travel companion Jacqui is currently on a round-the-world trip (I know... awesome right.  You can read about her adventures here, and you should.  She is bouncing around all over the place).  I was so excited for her arrival in Santiago for the Chile portion of her trip.  Honestly, there aren't very many people that could share our shoe box apartment for a month sin problemas... actually that list is one, and it is her.  

The only slightly unfortunate part about Jacqui being here in November was the part where Michael and I were still having to work like real adults (super fome), but we sitll managed to take advantage and fit a surprising amount of things in on nights and weekends while she was here.  Of course, she did plenty during the days too, truly getting the Santiago experience... not sure if that is good or bad.  We'll have to read her blog.

Here's our first reunited pictures in front of the fancy fountain in the park down the street.  Nothing says bienvenidos like bright colors and homeless people.

Anyway, inn our first weekend, Michael had to work on Saturday so I took Jacqui on the short bus ride to Valparaiso and then over to Vina del Mar for a quick glimpse at the Pacific.  We managed to get through the day basically unscathed, despite the cold (yes, it is summer... no, the beach didn't get the memo that day).  

Valpo is super confusing to get around with every street curving and swirling, but with some help of the locals and some pure luck, we got where we intended to go.  

Jacqui had her first of many Chacereros... a typical Chilean sandwich with green beans on it.  

When we were leaving from Vina del Mar, there was a slight hiccup in our bus situation... as in, we missed the first one we actually had tickets for, but after the initial "There is nothing I can do, you have to buy a new ticket" and a response from me of... "Nope, I'm not going to do that, you are going to have to help me", a rare glimpse of decent Chilean customer service reared its head and we were on our way.  Success!!