Exploring Santiago

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After a complimentary Pisco sour at the hotel restaurant we slept until about 9:30 - very unusual for me. So it was up and about in quick order, after breakfast of course. First stop was the fanicular - or cable car - 300m up to San Cristobal hill where there is a very large statue of the Virgin Mary. The view was good if a bit hazy and there were heaps of people especially cyclists exploring the park.

We headed back down and explored the Bellavista area, famous for it’s street art. There are lots of restaurants in the main part but we soon got down some side streets. Needless to say I took tonnes of photos and could have stayed there for hours. However with only one day in town we had no time to waste so we headed toward the historical city centre, stopping for lunch on the way. Not many people speak English very well but everyone is friendly and somehow we get by.

In the Plaza de Armes there was a large crowd, and an even larger police contingent. We asked a policeman (as you do) what was happening, he said they were there for ‘vigilance’.

The catherdral was very impressive, long with beautiful artwork. There was a band playing in the plaza and hardly any street stalls. You don’t get people hassling you to buy stuff or do tours which is great. The buildings are a mix of old, generally well kept and newer shoddy looking apartments.

We found another park with lots of steps, gardens and the remains of a castle. There were lots of people having picnics, Boy Scouts with kangaroos on their flag, dogs asleep in the sun. There was even a Canon camera group there all snapping away in their bright red vests. I was tempted to join them. Time for an ice cream, we decided.

Finally back to the Bellavista area for another large tasty meal then home to get ready for our 1:40am pickup for the airport tomorrow.

Santiago is easy to get around, surprisingly clean and the people are friendly. I am not sure if there is an aweful lots more to do without go much further afield. So, that is exactly what we will do.

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Comments

[Rusti Leach]

Santiago
Hi Gaynor, gosh what a delightful place to get ‘lost’ in photography! Has a great feel(look) to it and I would love to visit the cathedral. ‘Onward and upward’ as the saying goes - look forward to the next episode! Love Rusti xx