I spent the afternoon out of the house. When I returned it was time for once and Estela came to call me, as per usual. We had just sat down with our cups of mate when the doorbell rings... siempre asi! But no, it is not a client in urgent need of a perm but senora Alicia who has lost her keys! She arrives in the living room in a cry of "Estellita, tengo tu bebida"!!! And out comes a bottle of pisco sour!!! And three slices of cream cake!!!! It is Estela's fête today and Alicia has bought cake to share! Imagine the scene: three generations of women, reunited around our cups of mate, cream cake and the ultimate telenovela , El corazon de Maria! Ha ha ha!

After this, Alicia decides that she will force open her door... With pliers and other tools she attempts to twist the padlock open. To no avail... Estela takes pity and goes off to fetch more heavy-duty equipment: the hammer/wrench... And after 15 minutes of puffing and panting, off comes the padlock!!!! Victory!!

Such a strange chain of events, involving an all-female cast you will note. I have actually been mentally preparing an article for this blog on the strength of the women here in Chile...it's something I noticed as soon as I arrived and that deserves a mention!

While I put my ideas in place, let me take this opportunity to wish Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers reading, and in particular mine!!! I know that in France it is not on the same day (and that in England it's probably different too) but here in Chile, it is this Sunday... I have planned to buy flowers for Estela... and maybe more cake...!!!!!

PS Estela has just knocked on my door to pass me my guatero, the ugliest looking hot-water bottle I have ever seen but such a kind gesture!!!! :