Chilean Journey Part 1: Santiago

Nothing is better than having springtime in November, even if it does cause your allergies kick in.  

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much of Santiago, so it has given me a delightful surprise.  It is at once laid-back and vibrant, unpretentious and downright sophisticated.  The restaurants are fantastic.  We haven't had a bad meal in three days.  I suppose the real charm of Santiago is that it's people are warm, friendly and very tolerant of tourists, even those who don't speak Spanish.

My favourite site by far was Cerro Santa Lucia, a park on a hill in the middle of the city.  Palm trees, many, many stone steps and a 360 degree view of the city centre.  One of it's fountains is pictured below.

I could live here.  Well, if they had better shoe stores.  The shoes are disappointing.  

We're off to Easter Island tomorrow.  I will post again in a few days.

 View from the top of Cerro San Christobal.

 Fountain in Cerro Santa Lucia.

Comments

[Marisolly]

I visited this cerro with family a few years ago. Think you got much clearer weather than we did. It sure is nice. I liked the Darwin memorial - struck me as an odd place to have it tho! Am due a trip out to chile v soon to see family in the south (8th region) your visit is making me pine for chile! I hope you get the chance to visit time warp valparaiso.

[dan]

Make sure you try a Mote con Huesillos. Sounds and looks a little odd, but very refreshing.