Ice cream.

Not going to lie - this quick and fiscally-friendly dinner alternative has been having me shout, "So, early once this evening, guys?" every night this week. I've been out for ice cream so often that the woman at Bravissimo knows my name, knows my order, and could probably divine my future.

But it's not only us Americans who are craving a close encounter with some "Mil hojas" (vanilla-wafer-flavored gelato). Even a fierce loyalty to Colo-Colo or La U might be combated by a Chilean's love for either Bravissimo or Emporio la Rosa. Santiago alone has over 1,042 ice cream shops, 17 of which are in a mile vecinity of our hostel. A "colore" at Bravissimo (a dinner-sized portion of one flavor of ice cream) costs about U.S. $1.90. No wonder Chileans are all over this....well, like cookies and cream.

Ice cream here tends to come in two varieties: crema, which usually tastes like gelato, and yogur, which is self-explanatory. There are light flavors, but beware! Many of them contain aspertaine, which at least to me tastes a little like chowing down on some lemon peels. Best flavors I've tried so far? Pinapple, Chocolate-Orange, and Rose - yes - Rose ice cream.

Delicioso.

Tonight, don't expect this girl to be slaving over trying to light a gas stove without burning herself. No completos for me, either. I'll be salivating over my colore at Bravissimo, just like any good santiaguino would tell me to do.