Birthday Abroad: Part 2

Having had a wonderful day doing fun things around Santiago on my birthday, I was intrigued to be told on the following morning that I was required to meet Carlos after work that evening for my 'surprise'.

The only clues I had were my instructions to:

• wear something warm;
• wear something smart;
• bring my camera; and,
• bring my epipen.

All very mysterious. Was it a meal... but why the warm clothes? Some kind of walking tour... but why the epipen? Or outdoor theatre... but why the camera?

Well, after a bit of a walk around Santiago's business district, I was ushered into what looked like a hotel and into a lift bound for the 17th floor. At which point I began to panic a little... Anyway, the lift doors opened onto a rooftop bar that presented us with the most stunning panorama. We were seated at a table on the east-facing terrace, with an unbeatable view of the Andes.

It was the perfect evening. The previous night it had rained heavily (rare in Santiago), leaving the Andes sprinkled with fresh snow and giving us a crystal clear sky in which to appreciate them.

As we watched the sun go down, we saw the mountains change from brown, to pink to red, until finally night fell and we saw all of the city lights twinkling below us.

www.flickr.com jaynescarman's Birthday surprise on the 17th floor photoset