First thing this morning, I wanted to check out a bookshop in Valparaiso before we left. It was closed on sunday and I hoped it would be open at 9am on monday. It was an easy walk down the hill to find the shop was not open. A little bit more strenuous coming back up even with an ascensor to aid part of the journey. It was a beautiful sunny morning. A shame it was the same the day before.
We caught the bus back to Santiago and checked into our hostel. A nice place in an old house in the middle of Santiago. We grabbed some lunch, where Claire was told there was no pasta, only to see people turning up later and being served pasta. Then the same waiter tried to steal our change as well. So that place is now blacklisted.
Santiago Cathedral
The girls were going on a walking tour. I have become allergic to them, since the trip to Central Asia. Besides I had already walked half the tour. Instead I did my own walking tour to some markets, then a heap of jewellery stores, finally a street full of bars and eventually I found the funicular station to take me to the top of Cerro San Cristobel. The view from up here was pretty good. Santiago though is flat and reasonably uninteresting from up here. dotted around the very flat city are the odd collection of apartments adding some interest to the view. There was also a statue of Mary (the one that was apparently Jesus’s mum) and a large ampitheatre that was getting ready for xmas celebrations.
I returned to the hostel to find Claire and Jane had bailed from the walking tour. Although this was not a surprise to me. They were getting ready for pre dinner drinks. the next thing I remember was being woken up to be told they were off to predinner drinks and to meet them at Sur Patagonico for dinner at 9:30pm.
Santiago
I arrived for our dinner rendezvouz and I’m glad I did. I had a wonderful steak with quail eggs. Claire got her pasta that was denied at lunchtime and so did Jane, although i’m still trying to work out what she actually had for lunch. This was our last meal together on this trip. Jane is off in the morning, Claire and I have late evening departures.
Although there is one last thing I need to mention. The best dog in chile award…. and the nominees are Negro in San Pedro de Atacama and Mocha in Santiago. Jane and I both wanted to smuggle Mocha the newfoundland home with us, but we can’t. Negro was also a lovely dog as well so I’ll name them joint winners. Although i am now looking for Newfoundland breeders in Australia…..
The obligatory christ the redeemer statue