Santiago, Chile

 Bienvenidos! 

On Monday we traveled all day from SLC to ATL to SCL, arriving in Santiago, Chile at 6:30 a.m.

(2:30 a.m. Utah time.) We waited for an hour and a half at customs, but were in good spirits after sleeping well on the plane.

We checked into the hotel, ate breakfast at the hotel buffet overlooking the most gorgeous pool and waterfall area and then up to our rooms to sleep.

Unfortunately one of our rooms was under construction!

So back down to the check-in desk Dan went and they were very apologetic and assigned us different rooms. 

Slept from 10:30 to 12:30. Dan had a board meeting and I asked him to take it in the room and open the curtains to help me wake up. Time changes are such a pain—I find myself worrying about them way ahead of time.

For this trip, plane tickets were cheaper if we came a day early and I discovered it really eases my mind to have a day where we can do whatever we want… sleep if we want, tour if we want etc. with no set schedule.

Once we were awake and going, 

we walked non-stop and saw so much. 

It was an amazing day!

We had a great itinerary thanks to Michael (who served his mission in Santiago)

and ChatGPT. Also lots of Michael’s food recommendations. He’s much more adventurous about trying local foods than I am. But having his list of what to try and what it tasted like, went a long way in us seeking out all the new things. 

First stop, The Mercado Central.

Lots and lots of seafood as well as restaurants serving said seafood.

Outside we followed the souvenir shops and ended up in Plaza de Armas.

This was the opposite way of where we intended to go based on our itinerary, so we pivoted and did tomorrow’s today. 

Plaza de Armas is a beautiful, lively square surrounded by the Cathedral Metropolitana, Post Office (more beautiful than it sounds), and Royal Court Building.

Many artisans painting and I'm wishing I had room to bring something home.

Sadly, our luggage weight on the charter flight to Puerto Williams is restricted and we are max'd out.

Happily, decorated Christmas trees are everywhere.

La Moneda Palace (White House equivalent)

We spotted a street vendor selling Mote con Huesillo--

dehydrated and reconstituted peach juice with barley.

A favorite drink of the missionaries and Chileans and recommended by Michael. 

Extra sweet… and chewy.

We're so glad he gave us a list of things to try, because otherwise I probably wouldn't.

We also enjoyed sopapillas, Chilean version. 

Served with salsa (pebre), or plain, not honey. 

We wandered through Barrio Paris-Londres with its wandering cobblestone streets and found the Santa Lucia Craft Fair, a large artisan market with leather goods, jewelry, knit sweaters and more. And I found a charm made from green stone like my dad’s ring. Chris suggested I get the clover since Grandpa loved St. Patrick’s Day. 

Now it will remind of my dad and Chris. 

Across the street we climbed to

 Cerro Santa Lucia, 

A small hill with beautiful gardens and fountains and views of the city. 

Bellas Artes and Barrio Brasil featured many professional murals and street art. 

At one time we looked at the time and it was 4:00. When next we checked it was 6:30. With so much to see on every street, the time was melting away. 

La Choscana was closed (Pablo Nerudas home which is now part of an arts school). The exterior is supposed to look like a ship. With that in mind, we squinted and might have seen it. 

We’ve also seen many “Dutch”-looking homes. 

Around the corner from La Choscana was the funicular to San Cristobal Hill with the Virgin Mary statue overlooking Santiago. 

The city views were spectacular. 

I was especially moved by the prayer book and wall with handwritten notes from those seeking blessings. 

We found a nearby restaurant with a beautiful outdoor garden, and because we were eating dinner at the extra early hour of 8:00, only a few other couples were there. 

One couple, in their fifties, were really canoodling which made us laugh and another were working on Connections. 

I tried another Michael rec, a traditional Chilean dish, pastel de choclo. Similar to shepherds pie, but instead of mashed potatoes, sweet corn masa. It was very tasty, but more meat heavy (ground beef and chicken and eggs) than I usually like. 

Back at the hotel, Chris and Dan ran to Oxxo, (think 7-11) on the corner, for treats. Chris wanted the South American/Mexican equivalent of ding dongs that he loved on his mission. 

Dan was able to plug his computer into the TV and the three of us cozied in our big bed to watch a Christmas movie, which turned out to be Harry Potter 4. Harry Potter is always entertaining, but tonight I’m going to insist on a real Christmas movie! 

We had such a good day we were able to see much of tomorrow’s itinerary. So tomorrow we’re going to enjoy sleeping in and a pool day in the afternoon!