Hmm, maybe I need a good finishing school...

The other night I met some lovely Chilenos and Chilenas - actually one of each. I had a good chat to them and thought I was doing quite well. Anyway eventually another bloke came and the first bloke left. At that point the girl turned to me and said ¨Would I like to come to a restaurant with us?¨

Do Bishops wear funny hats? Sure!!!

After about a 15 minute drive we arrived at what I thought at the time was a very plush restaurant... in fact it was on top of one of Santiago´s tallest buildings and to top off the opulence, it revolved! How can one not be impressed by such an innovative extension on the concept of a merry-go-round. Although with less horses.

We all sat down and I began to notice that the guy seemed a bit annoyed, a bit bothered. At this point the girl went to the baño and I took the opportunity to ask him if everything was ok.

It turns out that there was indeed something amiss. You see, this boy and girl had dated at one time and tonight - were they still to be together- would have been their ten month anniversary. And this boy, he was keen. He had prepped well, studied ettiquette and taken a hose to himself to ensure that he was the best damn Chilean that he could be. Because tonight was the night, it was the night that he was going to get her back. All was in place. Except for the fact that he now had one more Antipodean than was normally necessary to regain a lost love.

You know sometimes I think I have the social graces of a hippotamus and the intuition of senile guinea pig.

Rock and roll.

Paddy.