Exploring Santiago

Hi everyone!

So writing the blog this morning didn't tire me out. I lay awake from 1-8am - fun times! I had not missed jet lag. Right now it's 7pm and I'm struggling big time again to keep my eyes open. Wow we had a huge day!!!

This morning Elena, Alejandra and I caught the metro into the city. I bought myself a Bip card which is the equivalent of a myki! We all caught the train, said goodbye to Alejandra as she went to work and then Elena and I went exploring. Elena is Chilean but she moved to Australia when she was 12/13 and only recently moved back here in October so it was an exploration for both of us!!

We started off at the Presidential Palace, where the current president of Chile resides. In 1973 there was a coup here and the president at the time was killed. Now there is a lot of security but Elena got us into the palace square by asking nicely in Spanish!!!

Below the Presidential Palace is a cultural centre and museum. We had a look at some pottery, photos and exhibitions about the Mapuche people (indigenous people of Chile) but unfortunately the main exhibition was being altered and not open!

Next was the Nacional Biblioteca (national library). We climbed lots of staircases, poked our heads into lots of beautiful offices and read a small exhibition about eh history of Chile. 

Then we headed further down a main road to the Santa Lucia hill. Here there were lots of beautiful fountains, tiles and plants. We climbed to the very top past a church and a fortress and enjoyed a beautiful view. Up the top a girl took a photo of us and we did for her, and once we got to talking it turned out she was Australian. And Victorian. And lived in the eastern suburbs. And lived in Balwyn! So I told her you grew up there mum. Also turned out she had just finished the tour I begin in wrap days and said it was incredible - yay! On the way down from the lookout we both nearly died of shock when there was a huge BANG! Initially we both feared it was a bomb or something scary like that, but then realised it was a cannon that must go off at 12 each day. I jumped that high in Nice at the start of 2013 when the same thing happened there too!!

Next up was Emporio de la Rosa, an ice cream shop that's been rated in the top 25 in the world. I enjoyed three delicious scoops - raspberry, passion fruit and lemon. Yummmm. And took our standard ice cream selfie in your honour, Mum! 

Afterwards we walked for a while to the base of Cerro San Cristobal, a hill rising 300m above the rest of the city with a figure of the Virgin Mary atop its peak. I was so looking forward to going up the very steep looking funicular, but it was closed for maintenance :( Fortunately we were able to catch a bus though. However the bus was stinking hot, but never mind. I spent most of the journey talking to a Brazilian girl as Elena and I got the last two single seats on board. 

The views up the top were spectacular! You could see the Andes mountains to one side, the coastal mountains to the other. Chile has a lot of huge mountains including these ranges due to being situated on the border of two tectonic plates. This has also caused quite significant earthquakes about every 15 years, with the highest earthquake on the Richter scale ever recorded occurring here in 1960 at 9.2. However, Elena said that a lot of the buildings are constructed to anticipate these earthquakes so mostly the city is fine when these occur. 

I've noticed here that people are really friendly and helpful. Not everyone speaks English but they try to help as best they can. I was very lucky today to have Elena translating parts of exhibitions only in Spanish! My knowledge of Spanish (apart from words similar to English or German) is as follows - hola, ciao, gracias, cómo estás and por favor. Not my strong point!!

We caught the bus back down, this time it was beautifully air conditioned and I just wanted to stay on board forever! It was 35 today and we walked so far, I am exhausted!

We had not much further to walk to our last stop, and on the way I enjoyed a cup of fresh fruit and we shared a Completo hotdog, a traditional Chilean not dog with tomato, avocado and mayo on top. Delish! So pleased my appetite is back. 

Our last stop in the city was Plaza de Armas where the town hall is, but it was all covered in scaffolding! Oh well. We then caught the metro back to Elena's local station at the end of the red line and went to a culture fair, where we saw traditional Chilean products such as woollen ponchos (which made me feel hotter just looking at them), pottery etc. They were selling rabbits, made me miss Minook and Daphne who I forgot to say bye to :(

We got home and were both exhausted as it was 35 degrees again today. I'm in struggle town again with this jet lag and am fighting to stay awake until after dinner. I had a shower which helped a little and later on we are having dinner. Tmro I have to get up at 4am (noooo!) as I fly to Peru at 7.30. I have one night there and then my tour meets the following night. 

I've had a wonderful couple of days in Santiago (minus the jet lag and insomnia!!) and am so grateful for the hospitality of Elena's family. They've made settling in a bit really easy and have been very friendly and generous to me!!

See you in Lima!!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox