Hello all,
We’ve started a crazy new trip, this time visiting Santiago, Antarctica, and Easter Island. Should be exciting!
We arrived in time for an evening meal in Santiago, and went for a wander. We found a fun restraint and ordered Chorrillana. A giant mountain of fries smothered in cheese sauce and pulled pork greeted us. So yummy! Then we caught up on sleep from 8pm to 10am, we were tired! For lunch we wandered through the city to the central fish market. Along the way we saw amazing street art all over the place and graffiti decrying the current president Piñera. Chileans are protesting the ruling class and their stronghold on resources to enrich themselves. The graffiti was at times creative, at times violent, but always angry. Then we got a city tour from a fiery feminist protestor, she was awesome! We were taken to a park that sits on a hill in Santiago that has great views of the city. The park had been built a couple of centuries ago for the rich of Santiago and was beautiful. From there we went to see all the government buildings which were cordoned off because of the protests. We did get to go into the Municipal Cathedral which had beautiful paintings and architecture. Then we went to visit Dignity square, renamed from Italia square by the protesters. On the way we saw police massing for who knows what so we did not stop. Finally a lovely park in the rich part of town. Modern landscaping with indigenous swans, ducks, and flamingos gracing the pools of blooming water lilies. An oasis! Finally a relaxing drink at our hotel listening to competing zoo and siren noises.