Blogs from Santiago Region, Chile, South America - page 162

Our first South American skiing in Valle Nevado. After a few days in Santiago, we headed out for Valle Nevado in Los Andes. It's only about 1 1/2 hour drive from Santiago, but it's one scary drive. There are 35+ switchbacks and another 30-something hairpin turns, meaning that from Santiago you basically go straight up!! We shared the ride with a Brasilian couple, one of which had been practicing his english. As I was getting very carsick, I had to do something about it pretty quick, or we were going to have "a situation". (Never thought to take any tablets before the drive as I didn't know how stomach turning it was!) In his wisdom, he spoke to the driver (who just ha... read more

So i just spent the past five days in santiago (the capital of chile) and had an absolute blast! we stayed in a hostel just five blocks from La mondeda (the chilean version of the white house) and the main center of downtown santiago. We went to the Plaza de los Derechos Humanos (The Human Rights Plaza)---super sad. It is a memorial park--dedicated to those who were murdered during Chilean´s dirty war--the overthrow of Allende and dictatorship of Pinocher where over 2000 lives were lost. At this park is a wall with pictures of those who were detained, tortured, murdered and los desaparecidos (the disappeared), as well as a building where the were tortured. On a lighter note, we went up to Cerro San Cristobal, where you can see over all of Santiago (god the city ... read more

"Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." I came to Santiago on Monday night to spend time with Emi for her last couple of days in Chile. She was more emotional before the trip to the airport, which was quite the opposite of what I was expecting. Monday we kept it quite tranquil and just hung out at the casa since I got in a little later than planned. Emi and I just did the girl catch up talk once I got there and then went to bed early. I woke up at about 9am Tuesday with the sounds of sirens and the thought of me being in a fire. Apparently I thought that I ... read more

The Santiago Adventure: Carina, Emi, Jennie and I made a trip to Santiago to go and stay at Dave's apartment and celebrate Sam's birthday. Upon our arrival at the bus terminal Emi said we needed to go and purchase our 'metro' ticket. A little confused at first as to what it was, I later found out we were going on a subway. Everyone seemed to be shocked when I said it was my first time on a subway. The first time it seemed to go so fast, but I think that was just in my head because it was a new experience. Once arriving to Dave and Brian's apartment we got ready to go out on our first night on the town in Santiago. Uncertain as to where we were going to eat Dave made the ... read more

Flew into Santiago from Easter Island and decided to give it a chance after my original plan to head straight out again .... I am glad I did. First night I had dinner with Mark and Jessica whom I met on the island. We were determined to prove to each other that we were capable of staying awake beyond 10 pm. I don't know what it is about island life but each day it was a struggle to stay up late. Luckily we went to Bellavista which is a lovely part of Santiago with bars and restaurants the moment you step out of the hostel. Dinner and then a local bar where I discovered Pisco Manzilla. Have no idea why I thought that might be less potent than pisco sour. All to say the next morning ... read more