South American Sojourn Start

Sunday,13th October - Dropped at the airport by Graeme Black. The check-in lady had a very sketchy knowledge of South American Geography, and we hope our bags are following us to Chile. Stocked up with 100,000 Chile Pesos and 6030 Argentinian Pesos - heaven knows what that will  buy us.
After a few snatches of sleep we wake up for a big breakfast - which is technically lunch. Our initial impression of Argentina is that it is very flat and very green. We transit through Buenos Aires (hence referred to BA)and eventually board a very crowded plane. The exceptional crush is only made up for by the exceptional chocolate biscuits (alfajores) they serve and the exceptional sunset - layers of burnt orange, golden marmalade and claret rising above the dark horizon.
It takes us a little while to locate our bags, but it is very gratifying to walk out and see a Peregrine sign with our name on it. The shuttle takes us to the Hotel in Santiago - by now its 10.30pm, and being a Sunday in Chile we have to get sandwiches from room service (normally Spanish people don't eat until very late.) The day has been a long one - 16 hours behind.
Monday, 14th. At last we are on to Monday! I don't even wake when Duncan goes for a run and has a shower - in fact it is not until he stubs his toe going out onto the balcony that I wake up..
Despite the cooler weather, and the odd drop of rain we set off for a walk, through the park and over the Mapocho River to the suburb of Bella Vista.

This is the river - very little water which is a theme of this BLOG, but incredible art on the side of the floodway. In summer the river becomes a cycleway. It is still early spring, and the river is a trickle.

So much street art - hard to know which houses to choose.

Many of the small shops are artisans - sewing, screenprinting, leatherwork, picture framers, metal/knives to name a few. We loop back round to the park, past the Botero horse to have a morning tea break.

I knew immediately that it must be a Botero.

Duncan was an attractive companion at morning tea!

Now this is Hot Chocolate. No foam, no marshmallows, no sweet powder. Just melted chocolate and milk.

We were intrigued to see this mower in the park - the driver stands behind as if he is on a Segway.

We find out more about this exceptional statue tomorrow.

These icecreams are world winners - we would try them tomorrow.

We head to the restaurant for lunch. The Royal Guard beer and the Carmenere wine are very good, and it is mid afternoon before we head back to the hotel for a nap.

The tour Welcome Meeting is at 6 o'clock. The other 7 have come from another tour, climbing Machu Picchu and with an early start to connect with this tour they are tired and dishevelled! We all go out for dinner together and it is our first experience of  Pisco Sours.