wine regions 20.6.06

We are now in the Chilean Wine Regions, as most of you can guess I am very
happy to be here. I have also broken my golden rule of travel, well one
cannot be in a wine area without tasting can one

This area is in the country's central valley between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean it is making a very pleasant change the weather is much warmer, infact the last couple of days have been very hot! Remember you guys who are coming out of the winter into spring; we are coming out of the autumn into winter. We have of course had a few little adventures along the way,

I will tell the story of quarter's Well I had the truck serviced, a full
everything possible service, also had the batteries checked and I needed a
another new leisure battery so the bill was a bit heavy, I paid the account
with my debit card (which does always cause a bit of a problem 'cause its
not a credit card). this took about 15 mins of the cashiers time; also it was 5
mins off lunch time. Then she said "did I want 25 or 75%" I did not
understand the question, and tried to say 'no no pay the whole account'. There
were by this time several people trying to help!!! I understood them to say
that I had to pay 25% of the bill for using my debit card, I tried arguing
that no this was incorrect but was told that this was what happened in Chile.
this did amount to over £100 I was not best pleased. The mechanic, who I
think was in charge of the whole job took me into his office where he, a
secretary, and a further chap from the office all tried to explain in Spanish
what was happening. My whole understanding was that I had to pay 25% for
using a visa card; they got someone on the phone who spoke English, they
explained, very carefully, that this was the way in Chile, everyone was being
very helpful and kind, but, I just kept think £100!!! For nothing. Then I
had the idea that if they would come outside with me we could speak to Les and
Margaret who both speak pretty good Spanish. Yes yes they ALL said, so out we
all trouped, on the way we collected a complete, random stranger who did not
seem to have anything to do with anything!! This I think made 6 people - all
smiling. I explained all to Les, as I understood it. We did agree that 25%
for using a debit card was a bit much. Then the others explained to Les what
they had been trying to explain to me for the past hour after lots of recaps
and explaining Les understood. What I believed to be quarter was infact
"cuarto" which, when said in Spanish, sounds like quarter and this is to us
HP! Or the never never!!! Well by the time all this was explained to
everyone - including the total stranger - everyone was laughing and shaking
hands and they all gave me a hug, not to be out done so did the stranger.
Then he trotted off and the others went laughing to their lunch break. AND
when I finally got Dans football shirt the cashier asked did I want it on
quarters!!! Olwyn and I just laughed. We are asked if we want "cuarto" when
ever we use a card even in the supermarket. Olwyn and I did think we may buy
a new lap top by the time the next cuarto was due we would be in Peru D