Life with MK: Noche de Valdivia

This morning I was up from about 4:30-6:30AM after a girl in my room woke me up, so I subsequently slept until 10:15AM. I also forgot that the two hour time change from Perú likely contributed to my need to sleep in longer! I missed breakfast again, so instead got ready to head to Valdivia. Unfortunately I realized I was missing my favorite things I bought in Cusco. They weren't expensive but it was some of my favorite and most useful stuff that I bought on this trip. Hopefully the hostel has it, but if not it's a sad loss.

My taxi driver showed up a little before 11AM, we checked out, and Caitlin and I said goodbye to each other as she headed to Valparaíso and I headed to Valdivia. I got to the airport with plenty of time to spare and found the baggage check to get rid of my big bag while I traveled to Valdivia. After leaving my bag I checked in and went through the long security line. I'm so not used to standing in line anymore with TSA precheck, but seeing as that doesn't exist here ok back to the back of the long line. It's amazing how fast you get used to something! After security I went to my gate and tried to get my internet to work, but I was unsuccessful, so instead I played Tetris and solitaire. After a bit it was getting close to boarding and there was a delayed flight at my gate. I suspected my gate may have been changed, so I went to check and I was right. I went to the new gate which looked like it was in the US since there was Victoria's Secret, Starbucks, and a few other American shops. So random. I boarded my flight and it was smooth to Valdivia.

When we landed in Valdivia I quickly regretted leaving my jacket and raincoat in my bag in Santiago as it was raining and a bit chilly. I called Jette to let her know I had arrived and then took a shared can to the hostel, which was about $5 and pretty easy. I arrived to the hostel and checked in and got a tour of the hostel. Jette and her friends then came to meet me at the hostel, but she had just had her money and bus ticket stolen, so our first order of business in Valdivia together was a trip to the police station to get a letter so she can hopefully get her bus on Monday without having to buy a new ticket. After the police station we went to a cafe, where I had a Sprite, and then made a stop at the bank. By that time it was time for dinner at La Última Frontera. I got sopa de miso con pollo and we all shared papas bravas and papas curry, all of which was delicious.

After dinner we walked to the river to get ready to watch the Noche de Valdivia regatta. Jette and I got seats on the edge of the bank (cement banks make for nice seating), and we shared a cotton candy while waiting. The regatta was like a huge parade with floats that were totally random with everything from Peppa Pig to Sponge Bob to bugs and German dancing. All were adorned with lots of lights and there were a ton of people watching. After the boats/floats were done (this lasted almost an hour!) we had some sausages and a small Chilean cookie and waited for the fireworks. The fireworks were fairly standard expect for raining fireworks from the bridge, which was beautiful! Id never seen that done before. After the fireworks we waited for midnight to say happy birthday to Jette and then they walked me back to my hostel since I was tired and ready for bed. The walk back was nuts and the whole town was absolutely teaming with people despite it being after midnight. People were also throwing confetti and spraying some white stuff at each other, which looked really messy, but everyone seemed to be having lots of fun. Now I'm back and it's time to sleep!