Hmmm...

[thereyougothen]

Today I found myself holding back tears at the Singing Club show, thinking that it was probably the last one we were going to be at. And that Nico, who after complaining that he wanted to play, not sit, was sat there open mouthed, watching, will probably now never be in a Singing Club show.

See, Bill has been offered a job here, as a systems astronomer and, offhand, we can't think of any good reasons to turn it down.

He/we still have to decide if he/we really want to move to Chile for 5 years, but to be honest, who wouldn't? Wouldn't you?

We don't have any details yet, and we figure if we go it won't be before October.

But now I'm not sure just why I'm going to woolfest and the I Knit London day but there you go. (it might be to buy sock yarn, because from what i understand, sock yarn doesn't count as stash)

Sometimes I can be completely calm about the whole thing, but then I'm in a church hall full of singing 7 year olds, and well, it all becomes a bit real.

Comments

[sismith42.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* There will always be oppertunities lost to those you choose. (yes, I'd so be going, but I'd also prob be a bit conflicted, like you...)

But now I'm not sure just why I'm going to woolfest and the I Knit London day but there you go. (it might be to buy sock yarn, because from what i understand, sock yarn doesn't count as stash)

I think you're going so you can stock up on the yarn that just isn't available in Chile ;-) (and you can prob ask on one of the international Ravelery communities to find out what is and isn't common there-- at the very least, I know of one American lady who's spent a couple years there...)

[thereyougothen.livejournal.com]

it's not so much that i'm conflicted, but just starting to realise all the people and things that we and the boys will miss. and in this case, N doesn't really know what he's missing!

there's a lot I will miss, but I expect that the experience will make up for it.

off to bed to read a book about Chile now...

[thereyougothen.livejournal.com]

oh and, could you please point me in the direction of the person who has been there? ta!

[sismith42.livejournal.com]

here's the lady: http://www.ravelry.com/people/chilerox
(I hope it's ok to link like that to a stranger... though non ravelry-types will get an error message when the click, anyway, so I should prob not fret. Looking at her profile, there might be another one, too, as I'd remmeberd (or missremememberd?) the American-with-fondness-for-Chile as having a Chilean boyfriend...). She writes memorable things the Polyglots community, and that might be where the other Chile person is... or in Crafty Expats...

[pisica.livejournal.com]

I probably wouldn't, but that's because South America has never been my top destination (though I am totally coming to visit) and I've already lived in multiple countries and I want to stay in this one.

But you should totally go! (see 'I am coming to visit', supra.)

[thereyougothen.livejournal.com]

we're planning on a spare room. we like visitors. if you neer have visitors, you forget to be a tourist yourselves, we have found.

[pisica.livejournal.com]

And of course I will bring things you like from Scotland in my suitcases. :)

[blottedcopybook.livejournal.com]

GO! GO! GO! Seriously, you only have one life. Live it with abandon!

[thereyougothen.livejournal.com]

precisely

and the boys only have one childhood, and hey, Edinburgh will always be here, right?

[cangetmad.livejournal.com]

Oh don't leave! Well, have a wonderful five years if you do.

[(Anonymous)]

What a dilemma! It sounds like it would be a huge adventure and 'tis true, sock yarn does not count as stash enhancement. Whatever you decide to do, the sock yarn will come in handy.

some casual observations on chile

[(Anonymous)]

This is Ada:

I just saw a program on ALMA...awesome operation - sounds like a fabulous opportunity for your husband, but I know it is hard to make a decision like this, especially when you have kids. We lived for 5 years in Asia - Hong Kong, to be specific (before it reverted to CHinese control) - and it was a lot of fun and an incredible experience, but this was before having kid(s).

Anyway, my DH just spent a few days in Santiago on business and here are some comments from him: very low cost of living - great bargains (compared to US, at least). looks like a nice 2-bedroom apartment downtown is about US$40,000 to purchase (which is comical for us, compared to prices in California). However, there may be expat areas that may have more or less expensive housing. I'm also guessing that you may not even be living in Santiago, but out closer to ALMA (?)

Professionals have excellent English-language capacity but, not unexpected, nothing in the streets. Very modern airport in Santiago, but there is an entry tax of US$130 that he saw assessed from arriving US and Canadian passengers - not sure if it would also apply to UK citizens. Airport to downtown by taxi is about US$26 (paid in local currency, of course) and takes about 25 minutes. choices of hotels: crowne plaza is an older hotel, but very convenient - next to the nightlife area and walking distance to shopping area on one side and walking distance to business and university areas on other side.

I realize a lot of this is very superficial, but thought it may be of interest.

Good luck!! Ada

more on CHile.... yarn! ...

[(Anonymous)]

DH also saw lots of yarn in the shopping district, but it seemed to be mostly acrylics or acrylic blends. He doesn' speak Spanish so it was hard for him to get information, but he figured out that they said there is better yarn available, especially "up North" where the animals are raised.

You might even be able to find a good source of good yarn and start a business exporting to Scotland ...LOL ..