Posts Tagged With: Chile

Santiago…Parte Dos!

Posted on March 30, 2014 by valarieivester

Over our next several days in Santiago we covered many if the highlights and gems of the city.
Our 1st stop:
The colorful neighborhood of Bella Vista.

This artsy part of Santiago holds music, art, freedom, and expression as its foundation. Strolling this neighborhood is a can’t miss for me if you ever find yourself in Santiago.

Maybe it was the gorgeous weather, colorful buildings, or the ease of which I felt comfortable, but this neighborhood felt like Austin to me. And in that moment we stopped, grabbed a michelada, and welcomed that feeling;)

This colorful district is also the proud owner of one of Pablo Neruda’s 3 famous homes.
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.” – Pablo Neruda

Look him up….he’s a poet…and he’s awesome;)

Our next stop:
The Vega Mercado
In this partially open air market you can find just about anything you might want. From tools to school supplies to toiletries, you can wheel and deal your afternoon away. The main attraction here though is the fresh food!!! The gigantic fruit and vegetable stands will have your fingers ready to pick and your tongue ready to taste!

With every turn of your head, all you could see was a rainbow of colors!!

TIP: Do not miss out on buying paltas (avocados) here. We bought one bigger than my hand!!! Es MUY delicioso!!!

And our last stop:
Santa Lucía District
This little area holds 2 things you should not miss! First, the Terraza Neptuno.

This fountain holds an old beauty that non of my pictures truly does any justice. Adorned with 2 attached staircases that act as the wings to this fountain…makes it so angelic.

And directly behind Terraza Neptuno lies Cerros de Santa Lucía.

This walk up to the top will take you about 15-20 mins but at the top awaits one of the best views of the city.
CAUTION: The steps are pretty steep and are basically just rocks, but if you use the handrail and walk carefully you should be just fine;)

AT THE TOP! Sweaty and slightly winded we were rewarded with this view;) You can faintly see the snow capped Andes Mountains looking over the city.

Going down is just as dangerous…but you gotta get a pic right?!?

***Our time in Santiago is up and we must go, but this city will stay with me. VAMOS!

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Bella Vista, Chile, Pablo Neruda, Santa Lucía, Santiago, south America, travel | 8 Comments

Exploring the streets of Santiago de Chile!!

Posted on March 30, 2014 by valarieivester

Throughout the entirety of the trip we always get asked some questions….“How long are you traveling?” “Where have you been so far?” “Where are you going next?” And if your Jorgie, “Are you Chilean?” (I just get asked where I’m from…I think the Chinita eyes throw them off 😉 )
So naturally, we were really wondering if the look of the people change that much here in Chile. Everywhere we had been thus far showed us a very “European”, colored eyes, light hair, and fair complexion crowd. So far, we hadn’t blended in at all;) But right off the bus we did notice a difference. Long gone were the green eyed blond hair folks of South America….and Jorgie really could have been Chilean! 🙂
Santiago de Chile is slightly smaller in population than Buenos Aires but with almost 9 million people this city is nothing to put your nose up to. Like with all our first days in a new place,we go strolling around our hostel to get our wits about us!

We ran right into La Moneda. This would be the equivalent to our White House. Being centered in the city, you will find locals moving to and from work, travelers camera in hand alike, and….

On this day, a group of “young” ladies voicing their needs!
(It doesn’t matter what age a woman reaches…our bodies may shrink, our hair may turn silver, and our muscles may go weak, but our voices….STAY STRONG! 😉 GO LADIES!!

Right up the street from La Moneda was Plaza de Armas.
This church, so far, is the most beautiful I’ve seen on the trip.
The outside, had a very old, European inspired look, that attracted the eyes of everyone around it.

And the inside, made you believe that there has to be a God. With the dim lights, and reverent silence, Jorgie and I just sat and tried to look at every inch of it so we would never forget. I don’t know who conjured up such a romantic depiction of this House of God, but Bravo, Bravo.

The streets in Santiago were full of life, but here, the people are in no real hurry. Stopping always to let women pass, not letting a person go by without a welcoming “Buenos Tardes,” and a midday chess tournament…apparently women are less interested in chess here;)

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: beauty, Chile, Church, La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, Santiago, south America, travel | 4 Comments

The Andes Mountains & My 1st Tears Of the Trip.

Posted on March 27, 2014 by valarieivester

As we left Mendoza we boarded a double decker bus headed to Santiago, Chile via the GORGEOUS road trip through the Andes Mountains with the best seats in the house…upper level front seats! We had read from many travelers that this bus ride was something we didn’t want to miss so we were excited to get an up close view;) With empanadas, sour worms, and other snacks packed, we were ready! The Andes Mountains are truly an amazing natural beauty being the longest continental mountain range and stretching through 7 South American countries.

Our trip will start on the Argentinian side, slowly traversing up into the Andes.

The water and sky were the most perfect color blue…. I haven’t seen a lot, but this has to be one of the most beautiful things yet.

You old smuggler you! 😉
Jorgie and I brought along a friend for the ride;) Argentinian Whiskey and we just have to sit back, kick our feet up, and enjoy?? (Both our hands raised) WE’RE IN!
(I don’t think we are considered Smugglers per saaaaay, but it’s as close to it as we are going to get) 😉

After alittle while you pull up to the Chilean border. Now I hope your ready for a wait. To get across after unloading, processing, and loading it set us back about 1- 1.5hours. We’ve heard that was considered quick.

Now we are technically in Chile and have to start our descend down this extremely windy road. By this point the sun blazing through the window, the gentle wave of being on the top tier of a bus, and this road, is testing every bit of strength I have not to succumb to my motionsickness.
Note: Dramamine ain’t no match for any of this! 😉 lol

But the road does calm down, as does my motion sickness…and really how much complaining can you do when THIS is staring back at you? 😉

NOOOOW….. I promised yall some tears…here it goes.

I truly thought twice about whether or not I even wanted to share this story, seeing as how it has to be one of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever done…..but what the hell….it happened…and it’s one of those things that Jorgie and I had a, laugh so hard you cry, moment later……LIKE WAAAAY LATER. Once we knew the tears were gone and no permanent damage was going to remain.

Sooooo, I told you about the snacks rights?!?
We bought a small bottle of cayenne pepper hotsauce because nothing is spicy in Argentina and decided to take it with us, you know, travel hotsauce. 😉 Well it puffed up with the direct sunlight and when I went to open it up to eat my empanada (all excited snd happy)…..hotsauce right in the face! BOTH EYES!!! Instant tears, blood shot eyes, my face was burning….Mascara everywhere…..Jorgie is pouring water into a napkin so I can try and get it out. Finally I remembered I had rewetting drops in my bag (thanks Mom!) and about an hour later…the burning had subdued;) Now, we made it into Chile, Jorgie alittle less bloodshot, puffy faced, motion sick than I…but we made it nevertheless. Ridiculous;)
#hotsauceproblems