I'm a model, know what I mean? (probably not cos you speak Spanish)

Hello all, hope all are well. Chile continues to present new and interesting challenges everyday and naturally the food war continues with Eduardo. Despite a brief cease in hostilities he resumed his now normal practices over the weekend and helped himself to my loaf of bread (the whole thing, not just a slice or two!), god knows what he did with it. Needless to say I am marginally annoyed, especially since I am STILL awaiting the installation of a light fitting.

My salsa career has sort of leveled out- at a crap standard. I don't seem to be improving much, but the instructor informs me that this is because I don't practice between classes (he may have a point). The novelty of dancing with a westerner has worn off and all the girls in the class try to avoid being designated as my partner now as my standard still lacks a certain Latin flair; even the dirty old man sighs with dismay if he has to dance with me!! However, Jonathan; Eduardo's "partner" says that he knows a good Salsateca (salsa club) and will take me in the future, so that should provide some practice.

With my dancing career looking shaky, I thought I'd better explore other career paths last week and tried my hand at a little modeling. Actually I hadn't intentionally set out that day to become a model but by about 11 in the morning I found myself on a catwalk strutting my stuff. I had been walking down one of the main streets in the centre of town when I was accosted by a girl who appeared to be selling something, having tried to avoid her and then ignore her, then tell her that I wasn't interested I finally gave in and followed her into a building (see "101 things you simply don't do"). Once in the "studio" I realised what it was, next thing I know I am watching another girl demonstrate a basic modeling routine along a catwalk. Then it was my turn, the music is turned on, and I am expected to do what this girl had just demonstrated; it involved lots of walking up and down, putting hands on hips and doing dainty little turns. Needless to say I must have satisfied the criteria since I was then herded into another room to sign up. I then learnt that I'd have to pay and that the course runs until October, so I respectfully declined and left the premises with a smirk!

I found Santiago's premier karaoke club on Saturday night, or rather I was invited to it by a group of Australians from uni. These are the type of places that the next J-Lo's are found or at least thats what it looked like. One Chilean girl must have sung about 10 times and really loved herself, to be fair she wasn't bad with the old microphone but she could have done without all the grunts and screams inbetween lines. Anyway some of the Sydneysiders I was with got up and belted out a few English language numbers, quite nostalgic and almost brought a tear to my eye!

I have had my first Chilean haircut this morning. Upon first arriving here one of the first things I noticed was the profuseness of dodgy hair cuts and I held grave fears that I would come out looking like a native. However having tried to explain what I wanted to the hairdresser (without success) I resorted to a photo of the "goddess" and I a few days before I left Oz that I have and indicated that I wanted it like that. She seemed to understand, but then I panicked a bit and thought she may have thought I was referring to the "goddess" rather than myself, and although the "goddess" always looks stunning I am not sure her style would particularly suit my head. The hairdresser seems to have attempted what is in the photo, and it doesn't look too bad although it could have been better.

I have (along with other Australian students studying here) been invited to the Australian embassy tomorrow night for a ministerial reception. One of Emil's pals; Brendan Nelson (destroyer of HECS and peoples futures......aka: Aus Education minister) is coming here for a tax funded holiday and so the embassy are having a bit of a shindig for him. Should be good, free booze etc. Then over the weekend I will be in Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar, so finally will be able to give you an idea bout the beaches next time I post. Until then, take care. T.