I’m supposed to be in Buenos Aires today but I’m not. I got up at sparrows and to the airport in plenty of time to be told my early morning flight had been cancelled. Volcanic ash is the problem. Those in the know rush to get onto one of the other five flights available with this airline. LAN provide seven flights to Buenos Aries from Santiago on most days I believe and today, the first two were cancelled. By the time I worked out how things are done here there were no flights left with space so I have been placed on a plane tomorrow. So it’s back into Santiago and back to the hostel I know.
How to deal with trying to sleep in a busy mall.
I spend the day just fluffing about town. There was no plan to the day but to just wait out for my flight tomorrow. I’m anxious to get to Buenos Aires because everyone raves about it. I haven’t heard a bad word about the place.
Santiago is made up of the very old and the modern, often side-by-side.
Travelling home tonight on the subway my train came to a stop in the middle of nowhere. Surely the volcanic ash has’t affected the trains as well! Time passed then an announcement came over the intercom in Spanish. My only chance of understanding what was happening was to examine the body language and facial expressions of other passengers. Their lack of stress was reassuring. The train then backed up to the last station. The doors shot open and security people or police jumped in. Interesting! They bounced out again and rushed off in a direction given to them by one of the passengers. The intercom blurted some more Spanish, the doors closed and we moved on. Nobody seemed too concerned.
angusmccoll 
Hey Angus, it’s great to hear about South America. You will have to read the Motorcycle Diaries.
Enjoy Argentina!
Cheers from Angela
Hi Angela. I not spending nearly enough time here unfortunately. A bit of an insult to South America really but I do intend on coming back. Flights are working today so will be in BA this afternoon. How are your Europe plans coming along? Must be close now.
Hi Angus,
have been following your travels with interest and enjoying the astute comments. I regret Santiago did not treat you so kindly – Chile has so much to offer – but you probably noticed the student riots started again as soon as you left. South America is a contradictory place and despite best efforts over decades I don’t see any real improvement in the socio-political situation.
I look forward to comparing notes when you et back to JCU.
Gary Wilson
Hi Gary, great to hear from you and thanks for following. Unfortunately I didn’t get outside of Santiago but I did get some great advice from locals where to visit, for next time! I look back on Santiago more kindly now that I am experiencing Buenos Aires, which I’m really struggling with. I have a few more days here so let’s see what unfolds! Yes there is electric politics everywhere.