Well I certainly come from a small town to say the least and at that a very expensive one.
I think it is a fair assumption to make to say I hadn´t really considered what I was planning to do once I was in Chile. I was definately not prepared for its size or the implications that come from a city so big. It totally confuddled me the need for three metre tall gates, security guards, security cameras, dogs and bars on all doors and windows. Surely you can trust your next door neighbour; apparently not. That was the first thing I noticed when I arriveds in Santiago. That and the fact everything is Terracotta coloured.
Secondly, I have no idea why food is so expensive in our country. Meat two bucks a kilo, cheese and butter a couple of dollars for a big slab. Booze- a bottle of Tanqueray 10 $40!, the most amazing wine for no more than $15-20! six pack of beer less than 60c!!!! its outrageous! (although yes I can understand booze) There is no clear reason in my mind why we must pay so much for fresh food!
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| View from apartment by day |
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| View from apartment by night |
Officially, I have decided that my first week was my transition period as effectively I didn´t do much. Luckliy, Santiago is more of a city you live in rather than one you visit so coveniently there wasn´t much for me to do. I spent my week attempting Spanish, recovering from jet lag and generally mucking about. Thankfully I had Carlos to rescue me from most horrific language situations (Topshop changing room- not ideal) and he showed me the Chilean way of life.
We spent some time outside of town in Curacavi at his friend´s ridiculously huge multi-million dollar homestead whilst eating the most delicious (and highly likely cheap) barbequed meats- yum! He also took me to the reception of his friend´s sister´s wedding. Chilen weddings are just how I´d imagine American weddings. Over the top frou, fabulously terrible dj (however this time mostly in Spanish (rigaton babes), although I did note as the night progressed so did the English) and the most delicious baked treats. Understandably, the Piscola flowed and so did my dance moves. The fabulous thing about Chilean weddings is they all get out these huge foam hats and parade about. My hat was a lovely version of Maggie from the Simpsons.
Chileans are very passionate people which I think is nice to see since I come from such a passive society. You kiss when you meet and when you leave (which I have just managed to get used to). You express how you feel which is rather refreshing. Evident through the continual protests about education policy. People go out and fight for what they believe in. 100 000 in Santiago! Even after the protest (riot) people were alone on the footpath every few blocks banging on potpans. (Leftover from the Pinochet days when the Americans conveniently wouldn´t allow food exports to Chile. People would gather on the streets and bang for their supper.
Of the touristy things I did, I visited La Chascona, one of Pablo Neruda´s houses. Shaped like a ship it was created for his lover turned wife Mathilde. He had absolutely imaculate taste and was a great lover of collectables notably shipping goods.
And I visited the Virgin on Cerro San Cristobal.
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| Cerro San Cristobal: the Virgin |
I am currently located in Valparaiso off to La Serena tomorrow. Below are a random selection of photos of Santiago
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| Casa Roja, Bellavista |
Hey Charlotte, great that you made it to Chile! Your photographs are brilliant, and it's good to hear that you're being treated well. It's been a while since I did Blogger, but you might be able to fiddle about with the templates if you have a mind to change the style of your blog.
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