Santiago de Chile

I had some expectations for Santiago, but not many. How can I then be “disappointed”? I don’t know 😀 After starting my exploration at the usual focal point, Plaza de Armas, I soon realised the one and a half day I’d been given by a several hour delayed inbound flight, would be a bit redundant. What to do? Stop being a tourist, start being a local. And when I did that, Santiago grew on me. Instead of looking for things to see, that are not there, I got practical stuff done. Got me some pesos. A Chilean sim card – Entel for those going to Easter Island. A neck and back massage, followed by manicure and pedicure. Having some cake. An empanada. Trying what looked like a traditional lunch, consisting of fries, egg, steak, and onions – a bit boring I must say. What I realised after running all these errands, to find gold in Santiago, you have to look closer at what’s behind those covered-up shop windows, and down those dark looking hallways. You’ll find nice cafes and restaurants, and galerias filled with small stalls offering you everything you need, and probably don’t need 🙂 Something not to miss though is colourful Bandera street. And also the street art of Bellavista neighbourhood, on the way to the funicular going to San Cristobal Hill. There are free walking tours that take in the highlights of the city. A couple from Belgium I met, did one, and was very happy with it, and felt like they had covered the essential.

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