Santiago

In Iquique, I lived with a doctor who has a sister in Santiago. Pola invited me to spend a few days with her family in Santiago, and Jose has a friend in Viña del Mar that has also invited me to stay with him for my last three days. Very exciting for me because I have this opportunity to know three more cities. In a few hours I am leaving Santiago to go to Viña del Mar, but yesterday I explored Santiago. Another adventure for me because I was all alone in a city that I do not know AT ALL. Pola and Arturo had to work all day yesterday, so it was either explore alone or sit in an apartment all day by myself. Pola gave me some direction on where I should go and how to get there and off I went. I took a metro (subway) to Palacio de la Moneda, which used to be a residential palace for the presidents of Chile but is now the official seat of government. Underneath is a small museum with some interesting culture displays.

After I was done wondering around the square, I hopped back on the metro to the Museo Nacional Bellas Artes... me encanta este museo. I loved the exhibit of photos from Abelardo Morell. After a few hours of admiring the paintings and photography and sculptors of Chileans artists, I walked around in the park next to the museum and wandered up and down the streets. For about 4 hours I basically lost myself in the city.... it was so relaxing. Did I mention I don´t want to come home?

Then last night this family had a party for Cote for her 27th birthday. So I met some family and friends and chilled for a little with them before I went out with a friend that I met in Iquique. We went to a local pub for a drink, and had a Long Island Ice Tea... but it was different. Had 2 different liquors in it and WOW, so much better. You´d be surprised at how much sweeter the drink is here and with Sprite instead of Coke. And when they serve drinks here the give you this glass filled with liqour, a bottle of Sprite or Coke, and an empty glass with ice cubes. So you mix your drink yourself. Basically, I had 3 Long Islands for $4.00.... quite fabolous.