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How have we managed to accumulate a collection of socks that refuse to match?

In situations like this, I think its only appropriate to blame Tim. And possibly Kez… my former flatmates.

Or so our friend Dave from Australia hopes….

Well the World Cup is well and truly started.
My unemployment continues.
My job search…? Errrmmm. Progressing. Just.

Being 6 hours behind Germany, it seems firms, families shops and even city regions in Santiago have spared no expense in re-arranging schedules, meeting rooms, televisions, whole streets and television time to allow football-loving Chileans to watch each and every game.

On friday morning, I spent an hour in an office I intended to visit for only 5 minutes. On friday afternoon, despite the rain, I joined a crowd of 20 men- most in their lunch hour or on their journey home- outside of a shop with a television in the window…. to watch the Ecuador-Poland match! We shared a strange camaraderie, exchanging quips and laughter, explaining to passers-by who was playing and why it was worth stopping for.

So, as we kick-off (sorry) another week of footie, what games should we be watching for and why
Australia-Japan. They may be a small pacific country with a national debt equal to the GDP of Holland and relatively small men to match, but, despite our friend Dave’s attempts to convince us otherwise, Australia has a battle on its hands. Can the men from a land with Aussie Rules really kick a ball under and between posts rather than just between them?

England - Trinidad&Tobago. Well Sweden got a shock on saturday, drawing 0-0 with T&T. But can the small islands do it again? With Rooney the Loony on the subs bench and Sven smiling again but Beckham bending balls rather than netting them and 30C sun rather than English 15C rain, could mean it will be a rough ride! Using the associated beer taste assessment scale (Carlsberg vs. Carib), watch out England!

USA- anyone. Rachel and myself are really hoping that the USA don’t get a beating against Czech Republic today or against Italy next week. We’d like to see a diplomatic solution to the nuclear weapons crisis forged through a football game- yes, that’s right, a USA-Iran quarter-final!

Brazil-Croatia (tomorrow) should be a cracker as two top teams fight it out.

This is the name of a 1972 film. Which means nothing to you.

Nor me, until just over a week ago when Rachel and myself went for dinner at a restaurant by the same name with some Chilean friends. And again, on friday. The restaurant was highly recommended to us. But strangely, on both occasions, there was reason for disappointment!

On the first, my food was not very warm. But then it was a dish called “Mil Hojas” which means “1000 leaves”. By leaves, I mean leaves of pastry; incredibly thin pastry, which is a speciality here in Chile, used in fine cooking and some (equally fine) cakes! When you’ve got 1000 leaves to heat and salmon between them, its pretty hard. So I accepted it as a downside of my choice. On the upside, the wine was excellent- Casa Silva Carmenere Reserva 2000.

On friday, the disappointment was mild; it was more like disbelief. We ordered food and wine to come with the meal. When the wine arrived- the same vineyard as above, but a Syrah (Shiraz)- I was given the customary taste. Errmmm. “Let me try that again” I said. I’m not a wine expert, but a wine lover who happens to be very ignorant about wines! But I detected something wasn’t right. I passed the wine to be tasted by someone else, distrusting my taste buds since I have a slight cold. Sure enough, it seemed to be corked.

So, I chose a different bottle from the menu. It arrived. The waiter opened it and I was given another glass and another sip. I was, without having had a bite of my dinner that was now steaming in front of me, beginning to enjoy this liquid dinner! However, to my disbelief, this wine tasted of vinegar! A second taster confirmed it.

I used to think it would be embarrassing to turn down a bottle of wine at dinner, but now I know I can and I’m just so glad it was accompanied by such humour! We like the atmosphere and the food at the restaurant so we look forward to visiting again soon and with any visitors to Santiago!

Oh yes… about that name. The restaurant does a great dessert involving chocolate, chocolate mouse, chocolate and a drop of raspberry puree. Tasted better than Santiago water. Thats enough of an excuse I’d say.

It was bound to happen. Chile, a country famed for it’s red wine, is also a country obsessed with cream carpets. Need I say more. At least our sofa is red.

Yesterday I went clothes shopping, which is always a trial and requires psycological preparation, and the promise of chocolate afterwards. It was not made much better when I asked the assistant, in my best spanish, which size she thought would fit me. I couldn’t believe her reply, but sure enough, I fit XL! Extra Large!! In a land full of 5-foot women, I am officially a giant. I can’t even find a normal T-shirt that reaches my waist. I have the choice of a cold stomach, or wearing a sack.

Maybe not the worst of my problems at the moment, but it snowed on the mountains last night and I’m starting to get scared. Maybe I should just stay in bed to keep warm.