For instance, the zebra crossing rules were all different. The cars would blaze through them without a second thought whereas in New Zealand, drivers were expected to stop. Speaking of drivers, everyone drove on the right side of the road (in both meanings of the word). We were told about the mythical pickpockets of South America, but as far as I know, no one had any problems the entire time.
As we reached the bus we got the expected speech or two, loaded up the bags, and started a half hour drive to the first school.
On the drive we saw both the immaculate, opulent, modern areas of Santiago, and the poverty-stricken slums that surrounded it, all encircled and united by the majestic Andes mountains.
On the way to the school (actually 20 minutes out of the way) we stopped to see the field we would be playing on (which was separate from the current school; the school is being moved next year). There was one massive rugby field, two more smaller fields, with even smaller ones going sideways across them, two hockey fields and some more astros (astro turfs). We then went back towards the schools. Along that route, we saw the richest neighborhoods where all of the houses were super-sized, gated (with spikes on top of the gates), fitted out with tons of security cameras, and most of which had pools.
We arrived at the actual school at about 12:00 and had lunch as a team. We were alone because in South America, it is customary to have lunch near 3pm and dinner near 9pm. We waited around until the end of their school day (about 3:30) and met our billets. I was matched up with another forward of similar height to me but who probably outweighed me by 10 kilos. We (my billet, me, Jonno Wilde, Harry, aka RG, and their billets) walked back to one of the billets' house. On the way we passed a shopping mall with the most chaotic traffic I have ever seen. We literally walked through traffic unscathed, something that our billets would do daily (not the walk, the going through traffic). The walk was cold, but not too long, maybe a mile. On the way, my bag broke. Again.
The tour bags had already gained a reputation for being horrible. By the end of the trip only one or two people had a bag that wasn't broken. Two bags per 39 players. Plus coaches, plus parents, plus equipment bags. The first time my bag broke was in Auckland and it happened several times during the trip.
When we arrived at the house (not my billet's), there was a massive gate (yes, with spikes at the top). There was also a little booth with a guard operating the gate. As we approached, the billet greeted him and he opened the gate. The gate opened to show a cul-de-sac with a few houses in it. We walked to his and were greeted by his mother with a kiss on the cheek. We went upstairs to find a PS3, a massive TV, hundreds of games, and tons of other high-tech equipment. A far reach from the slums we passed on the way here.
After a bit of getting destroyed at a soccer video game, we got into a car (7 people into a 5 person car) and drove to another house (with their own personal gate with an intercom) where we met up with more members of the team. We were all jet-lagged, and I was the only one who knew that we would be waiting till 9pm for dinner. Our team captain fell asleep multiple times and was joked upon throughout the night. When the pizza finally arrived we all found it funny that it was called 'Pizza Pizza'. The language barrier was almost non-existent that night (mainly because they spoke very good English) and we all got along well.
After the 'mini party' my billet and I were picked up by his parents. I greeted them in Spanish but they spoke back in English, something I wasn't looking forward to (preferring to practice my Spanish). After getting back to his house, I took my bags upstairs, unpacked some PJs and had my first night on tour.
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