Santiago

Tom and I met a gal from Whistler, Holly, when we got off the bus in Santigao. The three of us jumped into a taxi and headed to a hostel by the name of La Casa Roja. Really great hostel! Is huge, an old 1900's building. We were told by a drunken German that we had come to the wrong place to party for Independence Day in Chile. He said Santiago was not the spot to be and that we would find more parties in smaller towns outside the big city. We decided to stay a few days anyways and have really enjoyed our time here.

Day one, Holly, Tom and I walked into town to find the Legs Cafe, a cafe where gals serve you coffee in a bikini, I guess a similar theme to Hooters. Though it was closed so we went to a regular cafe instead, not quite as exciting! We visited Plaza De Amas where I got a hair wrap in rasta colours. We went into the Cathedral of Santiago, amazing. Reminded me very much of European cathedrals. Loke Holly pointed out, it's amazing that they stay standing through earthquakes.

Day two, Tom and I explored the city a little more. We came across some cool street art, graff and some trendy spots. Had a beer at a trendy lil cafe and were served a plate of tapas with it, delish! We also visited the Presidential Palace "La Moneda" which was impressive. We trecked a long way up Cerro San Cristobal (a mountain in the city) and had an amazing view of Santiago. Though it was very smoggy, as it apparently often is, so the view was a little distorted. We met a group of school boys up the top who were very interested in Tom and I. Was very funny, we tried to communicate as best we could with our little Spanish. We met their teachers, who were lovely. Was a lot of laughs and ended with a photo and a friendly farewell!

Independence Day in Santiago was disappointing... we went there especially to party it up, but the city was dead as everyone had taken advantage of the holiday and left town (as you would), so we hung out at the hostel and drank with fellow travellers and played lots of cards... thanx again Mum for packing the cards!! Mum's they're always right eh?!

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