Santiago part 1

Santiago was a 12 hour journey from Valdivia so we arrived at about 8;00 in the evening. We were a little disoriented at first as we didn't arrive at the bus terminal we had expected. However, that error was purely mine as I han't read the book properly. In the event, the metro station was just around the corner and 30 minutes later we were ensconced in our (3rd choice) hostel. 3rd choice or not, it was still rather nice. We were put in a little building at the back which had 2 different rooms and looking out onto a lovely little courtyard that had a fountain. (the hostel was Chile Hostales ). the hostal had a policy of silence after about 11pm but the hostel next door (Hostal Atacama) didn't. This was not a problem most of the time but did affect us a couple of nights as did the bar on the other side which played music until 3 or 4 in the morning.

(Views of the coutyard outside our roomat the hostel)

We were based in the district of Providencia a little out of the centre only 5 metro stops from La Moneda. providencia is a little more suburban than other places further towards town. It has its own tourist office served by very helpful people although it was one of those tourist information places where you can'y browse but have to know what it is you want to know.

Our first full day was taken up walking in towards the city centre which took up most of the time available (as we'd got up fairly late ( - we were often the last to have breakfast - available until midday) there wasn't a lot of daylight to exploit! ). Of course, we started wanting lunch late and also as we reached a rather run down/commercial bit where there no places to eat. Eventually we did find somewhere and plonked ourselves down to discover that our first meal in Santiago was Peruvian! It was really good and did the job.

Universidad de Chile protest/occupation for free education

At this point I have to draw attention to the fact that 'the book' says that 'Santiago is no Rio or Buenos Aires' so we weren't expecting to find much of interest. however, even at this early stage we were seeing things - attractions and sites but also an atmosphere that made us feel we would actually like the place (we later went back to the hostal and booked another couple of nights - a week altogether).

Some big head

Plaza de Armas

Allende

LA MONEDA