Sussing out Santiago

Tuesday 15th October
Today, in line with Peregrine's low carbon emission policy, we are off on a walking tour with local guide, Pablo. Santiago is a vibrant, but chaotic city of 6 million. We start walking through Parque Forestal, past the fountain gifted in 1910 by the Germanic States to celebrate the liberation of Chile from the Spanish in 1810 - followed in 1818 by the declaration of Independence officially of Chile as a country.

I really like the way the fountain created a bow-wake as the boat (figuratively) steered Chile to freedom.

 Again we cross the Mapocho River and head for the funicular. So far, so good, but there are two school parties ahead of us and we have to wait in line for about 40 minutes.

The city sprawls out below us, with quite a haze but we are also rewarded with a faint glimpse of the Andes

Up we go!

 This means we have limited time at the top of the San Christobel hill. It means we have to rush up several flights of very uneven stone steps to get to very small chapel at the top.

A Nun and a priest and many children had me scratching my head

A pregnant Mary

Primitive Art paintings in the Chapel

Next we follow Pablo to the civil centre. This is the presidential palace - the president doesn't live here, but works here. In fact you can tell he's at work by the flag.

By now we are becoming more aware of the effects of the Coup d'Etat and the Military Junta, followed by the dictatorship of Pinochet in the years from 1973 to 1989. In this area there is quite an obvious presence of military police

Allende was the president before these troubles

Great display of flags

We take the metro to the fish markets now. Unfortunately there is a blockade of one station a day to protest against the 24 cent price rise, so we have to go an extra stop and walk back.

Pedestrian only mall

Monument to the indigenous people. I tried to find out more about them.

Historic Central Post Office building

It is nearly 2 o'clock when we get to lunch which is a choice of empanadas, with a pisco or beer. I chose the beer which was just as well as the others said the pisco was very strong.

 On the way back we stopped at the famous icecream shop.

Mine was dark chocolate and mint

 There was only time for a brief nap before we headed out for dinner. Duncan and I chose a degustation menu of matched wines with VERY large tapas.

The selection of wines available!!!!

The first two tapas. Pork two ways (rolled and crumbed) and meatballs in salad - note that we got one lettuce leaf with that!!

6 wines to try

 An excellent wine experience.

Excellent university music ensemble busking on the way home.

We loved the computerised clock at the Hotel Ismael. A little team (on video) came out and changed the planks to make the digital numbers each minute. At the change of hour a huge number of people a rushed on