Chile was the one country that we hadn’t really planned our route or read up about before we arrived meaning we had no expectations, only that it would be more expensive than Peru and Bolivia, and so far the element of surprise has been a pleasant one!
After a short stay in San Pedro de Atacama we arrived into Santiago. After roughing it in the salt desert of Bolivia it was a strange sensation to be driving from the airport through a buzzing city centre full of sky rises, smart business men, trendy restaurants and a Macdonalds on every corner. It felt like we had left mars and arrived back to earth with a bump.
We could have easily been in Paris, London or Milan (apart from the Spanish chatter) with its cosmopolitan style terraces, green parks and bustling streets, not that I am complaining as it feels so good to have a touch of luxury and feel the heat on my shoulders once more.
We hit the town and joined a free walking tour, as Rio’s had been such a great introduction to the big city. Our lovely guide led us through the sun dappled streets giving advice and information as well as explaining the difficult historical and political battles that Chile has faced, from Mapuche tribes to Allende to Pinochet it is difficult to imagine what hardships these people have been through.
To find out more about the human rights violations we visited the memory museum, annoyingly mostly in Spanish, where a large modern space is dedicated to the memory of those killed, tortured or vanished during the conflict. A really heart-breaking but important place that everyone should visit.
Apparently we couldn’t leave the capital without trying a pino empanada. A fried pasty filled with beef, onions, olives and eggs which tastes better than it sounds. We didn’t get the chance to stop at one of Santiago’s famous coffee bars, ‘coffee with legs’ where the waitresses are all pretty young things in tiny miniskirts and killer heels (you can even find more X-rated versions where bikini girls serve you an expresso) like a saucy Starbucks!
We stayed in the Bellavista neighbourhood which was perfect for getting around, catching the underground and feeling safe walking around the graffiti adorned tiny streets. I have to admit that although not on the scale of Rio I have really enjoyed the brights lights big city of Santiago. Have you ever been?
