Monday, November 11, 2024

Santiago de Chile, Day III


Sunday, November 10, 2024

On our last full day in Santiago de Chile, we opted to use the all day Hop-on, Hop-off bus service that so many big cities offer tourists to get a quick and easy overall view of their city.

The only time that we had used a similar mode of urban transportation was in Edinburgh, Scotland years ago and we liked it then, so why not today?

The bus would pick us up about a
15 minute walk from our hotel near
the Gran Torre Castaneda

There it was

We got off the bus at the
Parque Metropolitano and
Teleférico stop

A wee, five-minute stretch of the legs got us to this HUGE Park's entrance

We all agreed that after such a long
walk and before getting on one of those
air gondolas, we needed sustenance!

The mural enticed me

The setting of this bistro was nice . . .

. . . as was the company

The coffee was perfect and the shared pastries were as well.

We didn't try their ice cream

As I said, this is a HUGE Park!

Huge but also quite safe

You can go from a kid's play land . . .

. . . to much more challenging
outdoor pursuits quickly

The ladies on our way up to the
summit of Cerro San Cristóbal

We were led to believe that once there, we would be offered wonderful vistas of Santiago.

They were RIGHT!

The summit is also home to
the Virgen de Santiago which can
be seen from all points of the city

Thus the hilltop has lots of religious overtones like this cross.

Jim Morrison on the base
of one of the crosses?

Sacred blood of Jesús

There is Mother Teresa nurturing
the Tree of Life, I believe
 
There was even a Mass going
on in this chapel at the summit

There she is,
La Virgen de Santiago in the
Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception 

Please, this is a holy hill for
contemplation and meditation

More views

Of course there were candles . . .

. . . to be lit by this eternal flame

Or maybe it was the Holy Ghost herself.

Spectacular views indeed

Guarding the funicular that
would take us down the hill

Colorful neighborhood at the
base of out funicular run

I don't think that eating in a place
surrounded by razor wire is a good idea
 
That's a real VW Bus up there!

This mural was all about . . .

. . . Liberty for Palestine

Boy-oh-boy, this sounded good!

Omega The Strong

I'm one of his biggest fans!

Next stop, Plaza de Armas
with the Metropolitan Cathedral
up ahead

That palm tree is getting the
help it apparently needs

We decided to duck into the Museum of Chile's History as it was not crowded and free to enter.

I'm speechless

The arrival of the Spanish
was life changing for the
indigenous people

Probably not in a good way though.

Nice Blessed Sacrament Monstrance

I love these two guys!

"Every woman's crazy 'bout
a sharp dressed man!"

Hey, they're all wearing one of my
Casillero del Diablo ski caps

Lots of history in this most
interesting of countries

Now THAT's a great military hat!

A plain but still ornate
traditional indigenous peoples cap
 
Epaulets are always nice

We were told at the winery that a visit
to Salitre in the North would be
well worth it when we return to Chile

If we can dress up like these folks, I'm all for it!

Lady Liberty gets wrapped
in her newest Constitution

Political Propaganda Posters
are always of interest

A Dark day in Chilean History

Walking the neighborhood getting
tired and hungry at the same time
 
I just liked it

Fountain in the center of
Plaza de Armas

What are they doing?

Next stop, Plaza de la Constiticion

Famous enough to get his
own statue

The Palacio de la Moneda is the
seat of the Presidency of the
Chilean Government

Former President Salvador Allende

Laurie said, "Take a picture
of that doorway."

So I did.

Marker for all who died defending
President Allende's life during
the Military Coup D'état

A Contreras was among them

Plaza de la Constitucion was powreful

Peaceful

Is that a German eagle?

Still hungry, we stopped off for a light meal.

This was the place in the
Gran Torre Castaneda

A good red wine perfectly paired . . .

. . . with our light dinner

Another good day of walking

Tomorrow our Adventure will take us to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Stay tuned . . .

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