SANTIAGO, CHILE

February 2 – March 2, 2015

Tallest building in South America with shopping centre

This is a very large city (more than twice the size of Chicago) but our apartment was in the Providencia area and near to downtown by the Metro. Our apartment was in an apartment hotel and we had maid service every day. It was great not having to do the cleaning and changing the bed and linen. We looked out onto a park but did have a lot of noisy traffic noise but this was better than facing into another building. The apartment was clean but in need of some repairs – some repairs were done and some were not. To us it was comfortable and our home away from home. The temperature was quite hot and dry and it only rained one afternoon. We did have one small earthquake tremor which we felt in the apartment.

We took the Metro numerous times to downtown or other areas of the city – it was clean and efficient.

We were also very near to the largest mall in South America for grocery shopping, parks that follow the river with one area of art sculptures, busy streets and shops.

On Sunday and three times a week the Changing of the Guard takes place at the Palace. This was where the coup took place when Pinochet took office. The “Changing” was very impressive with about 200 guards and 14 horses. Quite a show!

Next to the Palace was a museum/art gallery that was featuring Islamic Art from California.

Entrance doors to Museum

The Koran

A huge centre hall with side exhibit rooms

We walked and took a funicular to the San Cristobal Mountain. This afforded a great view of the city.

One area that we wished to visit was the Andes. We took a bus tour and it was a great day with sun and not much wind only altitude and scenery. The destination was Valle Nevado at 3000 mts or 9850 ft and above the treeline. It was cold and most people were dressed warm enough but a few bought sweaters.

A couple who lives in our same building in Winnipeg also have a home in Santiago. We were invited twice for lunch and a visit. The food and company were excellent.

We took the Metro to Los Dominicos, which is an artist community on the north side of Santiago.  They also had a very impressive fruit and vegetable market.

The downtown area has some impressive buildings, which we viewed and visited.

The Library

Plaza de Armas

Chile's Supreme Court Building until Independence in 1810

Central Post Office

Catedral  Metrpolitana on the Plaza - Nave is 295 feet long

Beautiful Ceiling

Bellas Artes - vaulted ceiling made in Belgium, and designed by a French-Chilean Architect

Cerro Santa Lucia  (hill in the centre of the city)

Central Market - now mainly restaurants.  Iron structure imported from France

Interesting vertical garden

We met many interesting people who were coming and going from our apartment and at the local mall. Most were from England, Australia, Norway, Sweden and Slovakia.

We will be taking the bus from Santiago to Vina del Mar on March 2.

Sunset from the roof of our apartment building

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