SANTIAGO

16/4/06 - 22/04/06

Capital of Chile, poluted, but pleasant enough city. well planned and landscaped and a great metro system. stayed in Bella Vista, the trendy area of restaurants and clubs. climbed up the cerro santa Christobel and watched the sunset over the city surrounded by the domineering surrounding andes mountains...a sight that clearly defines the image of Chile for me, and yet you never get sick of seeing it!!!

After 2 days, i was ready to leave Santiago, when i met a few local Chileans. we drank, we laughed, we danced. we had a great time- Paula, Viviana, Rodrigo, Angelo and Joh-ann -
ended up hanging out with them for almost a week. my spanish got a lot better as well!!! they showed me around the city, we would just hang out, meet their friends. i even stayed in their appartment in my last 3 days In Santiago. awesome, kind and easy-going people!!! one of my highlights of my trip so far. we would even cook traditional Chilean food. one was called something like Chillarno- consisted of fried chips, covered with sauted meat, chicken in cream, cooked onions, covered with fried egg- very oily, but delicious!!!

One of the guys, Rodrigo, even took a day off work and took me to Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar- coastal towns 1.5hours away. Valparaiso was a maze of colourful houses adorning the cliff face. you can get up by ascensores (elevators that take you up to the housing areas but also to amazing view points over the harbour!!). Vina was just a nice beach...but in no way compares to the beauty of those in australia!!

It was sad to leave them behind...but the trip must continue

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