Beyond the city - Pichilemu

We woke up yesterday (26th March) and decided that although Santiago looks like an incredible city, we'll have to explore it on our return. We're both craving some downtime so we decide to head out to Pichilemu where we can set up base for a while and hit the world famous waves. A long and delayed although comfortable bus ride eventually sees us getting dropped off in this rugged little town. Pichilemu is supposed to be a popular getaway for the rich Santiago people but is not quite what one would expect. Rather bare and shanty, a random assortment of colourful timber dwellings sprawl the open landscape, some funky and modern, but many not. Apparently this place gets busy in the summer months but obviously peak season is over. We meet Marc(o) from Atlanta at the bus terminal who has organized a pick up to stay at the nearby Casa Verde. We choose to follow what has been put in front of us and are soon rewarded by warm greetings by Pete and Thomas who stuff three of us and our bags into the back of a VW polo. We drive through town and up a bumpy dirt lane to the newly built, although rather rough and ready Casa Verde and walk through the door the catch the sun setting over the Pacific. After an emergency meal of pasta and sauce we laugh the night away with our new Chilean hosts drinking wine, sipping rum, singing songs and playing guitar.
So far, loving the Chilean hospitality!