Santiago - wine, football and smog!

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We never intended staying for almost a week in Santiago but our hostel was so nice that we couldn't bear to leave. The weather has been perfect (hot and sunny) but Santiago suffers from a terrible smog problem. If this is the good time of year, we cannot begin to imagine what it is like in the winter.

So, what have we done? Well, we've looked around the historical buildings and eaten fish at the central market. We climbed the hills and rode the funicular and teleferico cable cars. We swam in a beautiful swimming pool and began to get our tans ready to attack the beach!

We visited the Concha y Toro vineyard which was great. The tasting was very pleasant and we are now the proud owners of two great wineglasses. Unfortunately they are not going to survive long in our backpacks so we are donating them to Oscar at the Eco Hostal Chile!

And Trish was missing her football!! So Russ treated her to a night out at the Monumental Stadium to see Colo Colo, the biggest team in Chilean football. Unfortunately only 7000 others turned up so the stadium was about 20% full. The game wasn't great either with Colo Colo easing to a 4-0 victory. The only interesting bit was the background of their opponents, Deportes Concepcion. This was their first competitive game for over a year having been suspended for the whole of 2006 because of financial problems. When the league voted to have them reinstated this year it caused a lot of controversy. And we were there to see their first game back, but they were sooooooooo bad it was unbelievable.

So that was Santiago! Now for the Pacific Coast. Bring on the beaches!

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Photos

Yuk, Smog!
Shame as it's a nice view of the city.

The Presidential Palace
We were able to go inside which was a surprise.

Casillo de Diablo
The Devil's cellar. Oh look, there he is!!

Always Colo Colo
But where are Pepsi?

Defending the goal
from the hooligans with razor wire!

Comments

[Don Stuart]

Deja vu
Visited Santiago few years back for an airshow - remembered the smog. Seem to remember buying some lapis lazuli trinkets at the local market. Best wishes Don

[gordita]

Concha y Toro
Hey you two! I was thinking about you guys the other night while sipping some Concha y Toro with my parents. We love that wine! Sorry I've been a bit behind with the blog ever since the website stopped sending notifications, but I hope to stay more up to date now that I am back in New Jersey and can check it more freely. take care! love, Nat