Santiago Chile July 2008
It is winter in Santiago. The seasons of the year in South America are the opposite of what they are in the United States. So, when we departed from the summertime Atlanta where it is hot and dry, we arrived about ten hours later in the cold, snowy winter of Chile. This morning, as I look out of my 6th floor hotel window, I see bare trees covered in a cold morning fog. People are walking wrapped in coats and scarves because it is 40℉ outside (the high today will be 55℉). It is a nice change from the heat of Georgia.
Our flight left Atlanta at 10:10 p.m. and arrived at 7:30 a.m. into the efficient Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport after flying a little over 4200 miles. The wintertime arrival can tricky due to sudden changes in weather; the airport can fog in during the early morning hours. If this occurs, a divert to Mendoza Airport is required. We beat the haze this morning and landed without delay.
Santiago is big city sitting at the base of the magnificent Andes Mountains. The Andes is the world's longest mountain range running for over 4,400 miles from Venezuela in the north to Argentina in the south. They peak out at more than 20,000 feet above sea level in more than 50 places. Our flight passes over and along side of them; you cannot help but be impressed with their size, power, and beauty.
The city of Santiago lies in a basin formed by the Andes on the east, the Chilean coastal range on the west, the Cordon de Chacabuco mountains on the north, and the Angostura de Paine mountain spur on the south. The mountains around Santiago are tall and the tallest being the Tupungato volcano at 21,555 feet. This time of year, the mountains are snow covered and can be seen from just about anywhere in the city. Cerro El Plomo is the highest mountain visible from Santiago's urban area.
Santiago was founded in 1541 by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. A mural of his arrival can be found at the base of Cerro Santa Lucia (originally Huelen Hill) not far from our hotel. The city has transformed into one of South America's most modern metropolitan areas; it bustles with people, shopping malls, impressive high-rises, and a very modern transportation system.
I have been to Santiago many times and try to experience something new each time. Travel expands my mind, teaches me tolerance and compassion, and exposes me to history and art like nothing else. Each of my trips into a city is filled with learning; I love that aspect of my job. However, Santiago this time was filled more with dinning than anything else.
We have thirty-five hours in the city. Thirty-five hours to explore a city might not seem like much, but with proper planning you can see many of the highlights. My favorite web-based planning tools for my short travels are the New York Times and Trip Advisor. The Times offers input not only from its own writers, but travelers who take the time to add comments to the net site. Trip advisor gives detailed insight into restaurants and activities in many locations. Both are very useful when traveling abroad and into new (or favorite) destinations.
After a nap lasting a few hours, I walk down to a local favorite cafe, Costa Brava located at Lib. Bdo. O'Higgins 248, for lunch. It is small with about fifteen booths and some stools located at the counter. The color scheme is unique--maroon, white, and green--but is somehow peaceful. I am always warmly welcomed by both the waitresses and staff behind the counter. Today I order spaghetti with thin slices of roast beef on top, coffee and bottled water. As I wait, I am served bread, butter, and a fresh salsa. I sit, watch the passing traffic, and give thanks for being here and able to enjoy this experience. The lunch, like most things in Chile, is a bargain in today's world of high, unstable prices--it costs $10.00.
From here, I walk to Unimarc, a grocery store, for some fruit, bread, juice , and wine. The Carmenère wines are unique to Chile and I buy a bottle to consume with friends back home. As I check out from the grocery store, I am reminded that I did not weigh my fruit before trying to purchase it (something we take for granted in the US). I hold up the line as I go to weigh it but am quick about it--no one seems mad or angry like they would back in the states. The Chileans seem very much at ease and calm overall; they are not an uptight population and seem to enjoy the time they have.
Back in the hotel, I use the gym to run and bike. I have one more triathlon scheduled this summer and one 100 mile bike race. I finished the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon last weekend and enjoyed both the triathlon and Chattanooga. It was my first Olympic distance race; a big step up from the sprint distances I have been doing. The swim, bike and run distances are doubled and the competition is a little harder. Again, I did well but will continue to work on improving my times and fitness. I finished my workout at the hotel with a massage.
My crew met in the bar for drinks (a local favorite is pisco sour) before walking to dinner in the Barrio Bellavista area. We first tried to eat at Como Agua Para Chocolate but there were no tables available. Diners tend to eat late in Santiago, starting around 8:30 or 9:00. We had arrived around 8:15 and most tables at this restaurant were reserved. We walked over to Azul Profundo and were seated. We started with an order of Ceviche. This one order was enough for the six of us. We each ordered different fish plates; I ordered Mako Shark with a very spicy curry style sauce with rice.
Needless to say, it was perfect. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel via the Patio Bellavista market. The market was active with music, vendors and an ice-sculpting competition (remember it is winter and the temperature was now in the 30's).
For lunch the last day, I ate at Galindo's restaurant, also in the Bellavista barrio. This restaurant was one of Pablo Neruda's favorites. It has been serving food and beverages for a long time. I arrived at 11:30 and was the only person there. Again, the Chileans tend to eat late and skip breakfast. I had a sandwich of cheese, beef and avocado. I sat and read a magazine for a while with no rush from the waitress. I had to tell her to bring my bill--I love this genteel pace.
I walked back through the mercado. Each booth in this market has local crafts and artwork. Only a few were open so I glanced and walked on. The city is starting to awaken and is becoming more alive. As the day goes on, it is even more vibrant. By nightfall, Santiago will be fully awake when most of the world is falling asleep. The city continues to teach me the power of simplicity and elegance. It is a city on the rise.
Our flight left Atlanta at 10:10 p.m. and arrived at 7:30 a.m. into the efficient Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport after flying a little over 4200 miles. The wintertime arrival can tricky due to sudden changes in weather; the airport can fog in during the early morning hours. If this occurs, a divert to Mendoza Airport is required. We beat the haze this morning and landed without delay.
Santiago is big city sitting at the base of the magnificent Andes Mountains. The Andes is the world's longest mountain range running for over 4,400 miles from Venezuela in the north to Argentina in the south. They peak out at more than 20,000 feet above sea level in more than 50 places. Our flight passes over and along side of them; you cannot help but be impressed with their size, power, and beauty.
The city of Santiago lies in a basin formed by the Andes on the east, the Chilean coastal range on the west, the Cordon de Chacabuco mountains on the north, and the Angostura de Paine mountain spur on the south. The mountains around Santiago are tall and the tallest being the Tupungato volcano at 21,555 feet. This time of year, the mountains are snow covered and can be seen from just about anywhere in the city. Cerro El Plomo is the highest mountain visible from Santiago's urban area.
Santiago was founded in 1541 by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. A mural of his arrival can be found at the base of Cerro Santa Lucia (originally Huelen Hill) not far from our hotel. The city has transformed into one of South America's most modern metropolitan areas; it bustles with people, shopping malls, impressive high-rises, and a very modern transportation system.
I have been to Santiago many times and try to experience something new each time. Travel expands my mind, teaches me tolerance and compassion, and exposes me to history and art like nothing else. Each of my trips into a city is filled with learning; I love that aspect of my job. However, Santiago this time was filled more with dinning than anything else.
We have thirty-five hours in the city. Thirty-five hours to explore a city might not seem like much, but with proper planning you can see many of the highlights. My favorite web-based planning tools for my short travels are the New York Times and Trip Advisor. The Times offers input not only from its own writers, but travelers who take the time to add comments to the net site. Trip advisor gives detailed insight into restaurants and activities in many locations. Both are very useful when traveling abroad and into new (or favorite) destinations.
After a nap lasting a few hours, I walk down to a local favorite cafe, Costa Brava located at Lib. Bdo. O'Higgins 248, for lunch. It is small with about fifteen booths and some stools located at the counter. The color scheme is unique--maroon, white, and green--but is somehow peaceful. I am always warmly welcomed by both the waitresses and staff behind the counter. Today I order spaghetti with thin slices of roast beef on top, coffee and bottled water. As I wait, I am served bread, butter, and a fresh salsa. I sit, watch the passing traffic, and give thanks for being here and able to enjoy this experience. The lunch, like most things in Chile, is a bargain in today's world of high, unstable prices--it costs $10.00.
From here, I walk to Unimarc, a grocery store, for some fruit, bread, juice , and wine. The Carmenère wines are unique to Chile and I buy a bottle to consume with friends back home. As I check out from the grocery store, I am reminded that I did not weigh my fruit before trying to purchase it (something we take for granted in the US). I hold up the line as I go to weigh it but am quick about it--no one seems mad or angry like they would back in the states. The Chileans seem very much at ease and calm overall; they are not an uptight population and seem to enjoy the time they have.
Back in the hotel, I use the gym to run and bike. I have one more triathlon scheduled this summer and one 100 mile bike race. I finished the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon last weekend and enjoyed both the triathlon and Chattanooga. It was my first Olympic distance race; a big step up from the sprint distances I have been doing. The swim, bike and run distances are doubled and the competition is a little harder. Again, I did well but will continue to work on improving my times and fitness. I finished my workout at the hotel with a massage.
My crew met in the bar for drinks (a local favorite is pisco sour) before walking to dinner in the Barrio Bellavista area. We first tried to eat at Como Agua Para Chocolate but there were no tables available. Diners tend to eat late in Santiago, starting around 8:30 or 9:00. We had arrived around 8:15 and most tables at this restaurant were reserved. We walked over to Azul Profundo and were seated. We started with an order of Ceviche. This one order was enough for the six of us. We each ordered different fish plates; I ordered Mako Shark with a very spicy curry style sauce with rice.
Needless to say, it was perfect. After dinner, we walked back to the hotel via the Patio Bellavista market. The market was active with music, vendors and an ice-sculpting competition (remember it is winter and the temperature was now in the 30's).
For lunch the last day, I ate at Galindo's restaurant, also in the Bellavista barrio. This restaurant was one of Pablo Neruda's favorites. It has been serving food and beverages for a long time. I arrived at 11:30 and was the only person there. Again, the Chileans tend to eat late and skip breakfast. I had a sandwich of cheese, beef and avocado. I sat and read a magazine for a while with no rush from the waitress. I had to tell her to bring my bill--I love this genteel pace.
I walked back through the mercado. Each booth in this market has local crafts and artwork. Only a few were open so I glanced and walked on. The city is starting to awaken and is becoming more alive. As the day goes on, it is even more vibrant. By nightfall, Santiago will be fully awake when most of the world is falling asleep. The city continues to teach me the power of simplicity and elegance. It is a city on the rise.
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