South by South America Tour – Chile Part 19
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Santiago, Chile
A couple dances to a percussion band at the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
Another couple dances to a percussion band at the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
The percussion band rocks out at the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
A street market in Santiago, Chile.
Hand-painted signs in Santiago, Chile.
The path up Cerro San Cristobal in Santiago, Chile.
The Virgin Mary at the top of Cerro San Cristobal in Santiago, Chile.
I had originally planned to spend a few days in Valparaíso, a town two hours west by bus, but I spent too much time in Santiago. So, as a consolation, I wanted to head over there on a day trip after breakfast this morning, but went back to sleep instead. (A lady who has the flu kept me awake most of the night with her cough, so I was really exhausted.) When I woke up, there were a bunch of people dancing to a percussion band down on the Plaza de Armas. After enjoying that spectacle and snapping a few pics, I went back over to Cerro San Cristobal, where instead of riding the funicular to the top, I hiked up a series of switchbacks that run up the rear of the hill. Since I made my ascent at such a quick pace, I was seriously sweatin’ to the oldies. After spending a few minutes relaxing inside the crowded Virgin Mary temple at the top, I rode the funicular back down to street level.
A falalfel sandwich at Tawil in Santiago, Chile.
A bar in a Volkswagen bus in Santiago, Chile.
A mural in Santiago, Chile.
A mural in Santiago, Chile.
Street art in Santiago, Chile.
A homemade cake vendor near the Plaza de Armas in Santiago, Chile.
I spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the Bella Vista neighborhood, the home of many a cafe, restaurant, bar, nightclub and theater. Frankly, a lot of these businesses look pretty cheesy. I looked around for some interesting street art to gawk at, but kept coming across really gaudy, ugly murals. Eventually, I found a few good ones. Later that night, I walked by the ladies who sell slices of homemade cake on a street right by the Plaza de Armas. They look really adorable sitting there with their cakes up on little boxes. Whenever the police approach, the ladies all pick up their boxes holding the cakes and stampede across the street in a panic. Apparently, they don’t have a license to sell.
Words and photos ©2019 Arcane Candy.
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