Upon Arrival

Upon arrival to Fini Chico we hope you will enjoy your stay and make the most of everything it has to offer. The following points have been written to help you to fully enjoy it.

Water

The water comes from the snow level about 10 kms away. It is a very precious commodity here so please, as much as you can, recycle it. Please refrain from taking over long showers. Whilst people here drink water straight from the tap, we recommend you only drink water from the filter, to the right of the sink in the kitchen of Jasmine, the main house. Alternatively, you can boil it first.

For example, the water from the swimming pool is used to water the trees below it.

Taking a shower

In order to have hot water in your shower you will need to light the gas heater situated in the kitchen of Jasmine and on outside wall of kitchen of MadreSelva. Instructions:

Turn the gas tap below the heater on pipe till it is flush with the pipe

Light a match and turn dial from dot to Z marking. Push dial in, light gas and keep pushing in dial for 15 seconds.
Once you have let go and a flame remains, move dial to far left.

Once the gas heater is lit and you are in the shower, turn hot water tap on hard. You should hear gas light up. Wait a few seconds for the water to heat up. Once hot, add water with the cold tap until you get the right temperature.

Alternatively please ask Oswaldo to light and demostrate how it works for you.

Washing Clothes

There is a special washing sink built of volcanic rock beside the barbecue which is excellent for hand washing.

Swimming pool

The swimming pool water comes from the snow level and it involves a week of our water supply to fill it up, hence we do not use chemicals as the water is recycled to the trees below. Normally Oswaldo is in charge of all issues with the swimming pool.

Electricity

Fini Chico is not connected to mains electricity. All our power is obtained from the solar panel beside the main house. If energy is not used efficiently there will not be enough power for the evening. We therefore suggest you behave in an energy conscious way and turn off lights whenever not needed. There are plenty of candles in the house. Often candlelight is much nicer than electricity, but PLEASE remember the houses are made of wood so make sure you blow candles out when not needed. There is a small gas powered fridge looked after by Oswaldo and also an ice box under the kitchen sink. We recommend these for use during hot months only.

Toilet

Our cesspit is organic (no chemicals used) and so it cannot break down paper or other substances so please do not put any toilet paper, tampons or towels into the toilet. There is a bin beside each toilet for paper etc so please use it.

Barbecue

There is an excellent barbecue to help you to enjoy the wonderful range of fresh meat and fish that Chile has to offer. You can ask Oswaldo to prepare a fire.

Rubbish

Please separate bottles from other rubbish. Tied bags of rubbish should be placed in the big grey dustbin on the patio.

The Dogs

Although not unfriendly, the dogs are wary of anyone they don't know. They bark but do not bite and if you feed them they will begin to like you!

Walking

There are many beautiful walks up into the mountains. It is easy to lose oneself up there so we suggest you go with Oswaldo who knows the routes inside out.

It is very important that you wear sensible walking boots. The earth is very loose and for coming down especially, you need very good grip. The longest path we have will take you through spectacular views of snow peaked mountains of the Andes and will take you to Agua del Virgin where our water source is. This could take you, on average 2 – 3 hours to get there and an hour to get back. For more serious walks to the Andes, we highly recommend Oswaldo accompanies you.

Fruit Orchard and Organic Vegetables

Refugio Fini Chico offers you a wide variety of fruit. We have a variety of exotic fruit trees including apricots, plums, peaches, lemon, lime, orange, avocado, kaki, prickly pear, pomegranate, quince, tree tomato, fig, mulberry, grapes, apples, pears, walnuts, almonds and pistachios. Normally during October to November you will find apricots, cherries, plums, February and March grapes, nuts and figs. Refugio Fini Chico is one of the few places in Chile that has pistachio trees. You are most welcome to walk up and down and sample the different fruit.

There is a range of organically grown vegetables just below the main house including cucumber, lettuce, tomato and various herbs. Oswaldo will be only too happy to share with you the vegetables he grows.

Communication

Telephone in the main house - you can receive all international and any local calls on this phone. You can use the telephone to call internationally by buying a telephone card – 5,000 or 10,000 pesos and follow the instructions on the card. Generally speaking you have to dial 188 + 0 and country code and area code and number.

Useful telephone numbers :

Refugio Fini Chico : 00-56-2- 5131057 (local calls only)

Mo Fini Mobile (owner): 00-44-7885-410998

Marco mobile :00-52- 092922572

Reverse charge no: 188182

Native Trees and Plants

The native trees surrounding you consist of many varieties. Ironically enough litre often gives people an allergic skin reaction. Among all the people I know I'm the only one who suffers, but it is not that uncommon. Mapuche Indians believe that by greeting the litre tree every time you pass, this will not occur. However, I have taken my hat off to respect the tree, but still they cause an allergic reaction of small bubbles on the surface of the skin in the most sensitive regions of the body. Please do not panic if it happens to you. It is nothing serious. The quickest way to cure yourself is to boil chamomile tea (agua de manzanilla), let it cool down naturally. After you have taken a shower, pour it over your body, especially over the affected areas and let it dry naturally. Repeat 3-4 days and everything will be OK

Transport and Shopping

America Vespuccio is the main road that passes through the city centre across Santiago as well as a dual carriageway, the main metro and tube passes over the highway.

The main stop nearest to the house is paradero 14 (paradero means a stop for a bus or train in Spanish). This is also the biggest shopping mall in Santiago comprising supermarkets, cafes, cinema, bowling complex, shops. You can also park there free of charge. In order to get to the centre, catch any metro from Paradero 14 and go to Plaza de Armas. Then you will be in the heart of the city, close to the main post office, Mercado central, Cerro Santa Lucia (highly recommended), the Alameda Palace etc .

However, for food shopping you can either visit smaller shops and supermarkets, some 15 minutes away from Fini Chico. Food, wine, seafood and vegetables are relatively cheap and plentiful.

Wild Animals

You will be glad to hear that Chile has no poisonous snakes at all. You may come across tarantulas here but they wont hurt you. Humming birds abound as well as other wild birds, quails, eagles and other birds of prey as well as wild cats and condors. Climb the mountain and if you are lucky you may see very large iguana or even a condor..

Food, Wine and Shopping

To the right of the entrance gates to Santa Sofia there is a small local shop selling basic provisions – wine, beer, bread and locally grown vegetables. There is also a grocery shop across San Carlos canal selling seasonal fruit. For fresh meat and fish we recommend you visit Monte Carlo supermarket, only 15 minutes away on Avenida La Florida . Chilean meat and fish are divine and we highly recommend Oswaldo prepares a whole organic salmon on the fire or barbecued meat. Our children love Chilean sausages. There are various types – the best are chorizo and longaniza. Normally we hate sausages in England but we assure you in Chile they are quite different. They are nice as a starter. Our favourite dish in Chile is either whole salmon on the fire with our own grown vegetables and fresh bread and one of the nicest ways to eat meat is cecina – very thinly sliced beef with salt on, left to hang in the sun for a couple of hours, then cooking it for a couple of minutes over a fire. Then serve with freshly prepared guacamole and black Mexican beans and tortillas, all washed down with a couple of glasses of red Chilean wine.

Chile is one of the most famous places in the world for wine, especially red wine. There are many varieties of relatively inexpensive wine, on average about £2.00 a bottle, available in supermarkets. The nearest and one of the most famous – Cousino Macul, has vineyards that you can see from the balcony of the main house. Sadly enough, like the rest of Santiago , less and less green exists as they build more and more houses. Most of the vineyards are moving south. There are other famous vineyards in Pilque, on the way to Cajon del Maipu – Concha y Torro. Other good wines include 120, Santa Carolina (white), Gato Negro, Carmen. From our experience Santa Carolina and Cousino Macul Gris 2003 are good, as well as most of the reds. Concha y Torro is nice and fruity. If you are into beer I strongly recommend Bolivian beer – Pacena or Mexican Corona as Chilean beer is one of the worst in the world!