Santiago You Gotta Go

We were sorry to leave the desert we enjoyed so much, but this morning we jumped in the van, and were dropped at Calama airport for our flight to Santiago.  This will be our fifth time passing through the city, but we intend to stay a couple of days this time and do some exploring.  Our flight was a piece of cake, and we now have the bag packing down to a fine art, keeping the main suitcase below

23kg and stuffing the carry-on with all the heavy shit........this of course has resulted in an oversized backpack which I hide until boarding starts.......what a fiasco, but we are making it work.  We are also losing Sam in Santiago......she heads back to Toronto later this evening.......we have had a great trip.

Our hotel is centrally located, and we are having a blast in the surrounding neighbourhood.  Vendors/artisans/artists line the street around the corner from the hotel......there are street performers and musicians every afternoon that are quite entertaining, and the whole place is just buzzing.  Restaurants serving all types of food are very busy, and we opted for the wine bar (big surprise).......a small place known for its extensive wine cellar, virtually all Chilean.......our waiter/sommelier suggested a 2005 La Montana, a cab, merlot, petit verdot blend from the Maipo Valley which was outstanding, and was only three times our usual budget. 

Now thats a wine list........customers are asked to go down the tricky stairs into the restaurant's wine cellar below ground to select their bottle directly from the racks

Up and over one of the high point parks in town........we tried to get to the ultimate and visit Jesus but the chairlift and funicular were both closed 

Our first day of touring focussed on the neighbourhoods/barrios north of the muddy Mapocho River which runs right through town.  Bellavista Barrio was described as Bohemian, whatever that means, but very interesting, great shops, and the restaurant find of the year for Jutta and I.........everyone knows we love to eat, and enjoy new and interesting food, but when we found Peumayen, it was an instant hit.  Their catchy concept is to prepare all their food as it was done in Chile hundreds of years ago.........aptly described by our waiter in his ten minute pre-lunch speech, he led us through the menu with ease and we made some crazy good selections.

Main course salad with hot smoked fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and a mixture of  greens 

Jutta's stewed ox tail wrapped in a potato pancake

Palate cleanser.....fried seaweed, little avocado and some hot sauce on the side.......don't ask!

Palate cleanser.......beans, etc.......again......don't ask, but it works!

Appetizer selection.......amazing

A collection of ancient breads

Great Place........must go if in Santiago.

It was Sunday so we went to church in the cathedral

Beautiful municipal building

Workout equipment all over Chile.....everywhere we go.......this was in Barrio Italia......Tony told us it was da best

Even the Chileans are on the Trump bashing bandwagon

Modern sculpture.......naked guy checking his iPhone 

We are totally amazed at the number, and size of the parks in the downtown area........1/2 block from the hotel there is a beauty that runs for 6km following the Mapocho River.  They are everywhere, in every neighbourhood, with beautiful statues and monuments.

There are miles and miles of parks in this town

The cops helping stray dogs escape the heat.......get it......the heat?

Barria Italia........belisimo

The river looks filthy but it runs hard down the mountains and through town before it settles down and cleans up.

If you are heading to Chile, don't miss stopping in Santiago for a day or two.........we didn't even scratch the surface and had a great time........cheers