Island of the Damned... or should that be dumb - Chiloe.

Well, I am on the road ahead, now in the south of Chile, which I have previously visited briefly during my theatre antics. But that was not enough for me, so I am here again, rollacking around the quite lovely island of Chiloe.

And it is quite lovely. Reminds me a lot of the west coast of Ireland, except with less Irish people, and a population with the inability to speak at more than 2 words every 45 seconds. In fact, on first arriving on the Punt over here, I was a bit disallusioned with the whole place. (Although the concept of a punt can still manage to excite me. What is it with boys and unconventional forms of transport,?I could be travelling to Hell itself, but as long as have to take a tricycle to get there, I´m in.) It seemed that there was just not much doing, very basic facilities and everything out of season. It didn´t help that the people around town seemed like they would lose a battle of wits with a stuffed iguana. I was a bit grumpy with it all, really. My sister thinks it is because it is time to go back to work, but surely things are not that drastic!

It turns out that it was just the town that was crap. An bit of advice from someone in the know. Don´t go to Ancud. It is like Ulladulla, but without the Land of Indoor Fun.

I am now in Castro, which despite (or maybe because of) being named after a ailing communist dictator, is very nice. Nice market, lovely port, lovely people and a national park near by which has pengers! (Penguins.... d´uh!). All this makes for a much happier Paddy. Which I am sure you are all relieved to know.

Rock and Roll.

Paddy

Suerte.

There are two types of people in the world. There are clueless and misguided types known as Shakira virgins and then... well, then there are people like me.

Yes, my boyhood dream of seeing the Diva in person has, finally, come to pass. (Please note that as it is a proven fact that men mature more slowly than women, I am extending my boyhood to the age of 23. For those of you who knew me last year, I don´t think that this is too much of a stretch)

It was a night to remember. It had everything: belly dancing, fireworks, incredible costuming and a stadium full of screaming devotees. I was all decked out in my bandana, had bought a T shirt or two and even some badges. Perhaps sadly, I let reason prevail, and did not buy a Shakira themed pillow. Just think of all those ´Guess who I am sleeping with?´quips I could have made. I made that sacrifice for you people! For you!!!!

All the hits were played. Not only did we have ´Whenever, Whereever´and ´Hips don´t lie´ but also ´Ojos asi´, ´Si te vas´, ´Ciega Sorda Muda´and (a personal fave) ´Buscando un poco de amor´. By the end of the evening, my throat was more than a bit sore, and poor Lorena was more than embarressed enough for the both of us - given my seeming unwillingness to limit my conduct.

But yes, I a pretty sure that it is an event that will not come to repeat itself within this life-time. And if it was not quite the religious experience that I have made it out to be- it was more than a very big ball of fun - somewhat akin to a gobstopper with a latin feel. And I will continue to be the huge Shakira fan that you all know and love. Well that you all know, at least. Because after all, Shakira really does...

Rock and Roll

Paddy

Counting down...

Well as I may have mentioned in my previous entry I am now back in Santiago. Site of my forthcoming date with destiny in the form of that dimuniutive Columbian/French/Lebanese/Pakastini-for-all-I-know nymphette Shakira. And I am ready.

I am currently in the midst of creating my ´Shakira, I want to have your babies´banner and have already run out of glitter. But yes, that will that particular event of the century will happen next Wednesday evening.

Aside from that, it feels pretty good to be back in Santiago. I like the city, despite its flaws, and there are a lot of good people around who I am lucky enough to call friend. I am staying with the lovely Sergio and shared a wonderful family birthday party with the equally lovely Lorena. It was good to be in a family environment again, with a few kids running around the place and a very tasty lasagne and potato pie.

Might visit a few musuems in the next few days, and I am off to the theatre tonight. But aside from that, I am very much enjoying wandering round a city that almost feels like home.

Rock and Roll.

Paddy.