Santiago Tour 1 - The Beginning

My two proud Chilean companeras, Loreto and Paula, were kind to offer me a Sunday tour of Santiago... I am thrilled to have this invitation, since there are many places they will know which not on the beaten tourist track. They are standing in front of the Palace of the Chilean President...Plaza de la Moneda. This is where the money used to be made. It was damaged by the big terremoto in February 2010.





The girls are smiling at the giant Flag of Chile that waves in front of the Palace.

They said it was so big that it would reach across the street between the buildings.

Our tour started early Sunday morning. Paula was in charge...Loreto drove so we could park in all the tight parking garages. On the way to central Santiago to see some sites, we passed by the Parque Forestal where the Museo de Arte is located.

We are planning another tour the fist of next year of all the museums in Santiago. That will be a LONG day, but I am looking forward to it...

Central Santiago is known for its Cafe con Piernas...Coffee with Legs.
Women in sexy outfits serving coffee -- a South American original.

This is tame to most...some go as far as topless! Topless morning coffee? During the day? Huh???

We did not stop in for coffee, but the smells of coffee filled the streets. It sure smelled good.

Concha y Toro is an old bario of Santiago where the winding streets are only as wide as carriages. Concha y Toro is connected to the Chilean nobility and aristocracy. The bario was once the property of doña Teresa Cazotte, the widow of Concha y Toro wine fame. It is now a favored residence of artists and filmmakers who use the barrio in their films. Here are a few scenes from that area.

The church near the bario is being repaired. Look close at the photo of the church in the banner...and then at the photo I took of the damage. Do you see what is missing?

On the walk around town, we passed by the Wall Street of Santiago...look familiar?



Next on the tour was the Plaza de Armas. In the plaza there are many artists selling their painting, sculptures, a pavillion where the Banda de Guerras play every Sunday, the central Post Office of Santiago and of course The Catedral of Santiago. Here are a few scenes...including the beautiful purple Jacaranda trees that inundate everything with their purple blooms.

Jacaranda

This sculpture is dedicated to the Auracana Indians from southern Chile. They were mighty warriors...

 Funny girl...

Banda de Guerras

In front of The Catedral there was a statue made copper. At least I thought it was a statue! When you put money in the box in front him, he moved. It was a man who spray painted himself copper to reprsent the copper workers in the mines of Chile. He spoke perfect English... He also decided to perform for us...and when he was done, he gave each of us a piece of quartz for future "Good Vibrations." I keep it in my change purse....just in case.

The Catedral

 A knave inside...

 Michael slaying the devil...

..The Post Office

Oh no....the tour is not over! Let's take the subway to see the artwork! It would be my first ride on a subway EVER!

The Museum of Art decided to let the entire public of Santiago enjoy local artists....
As you speed by these giant murals, scenes of Chile appear. They are beautiful and very realistic...

 On the way over to the park at Cerro San Cristobal, we passed by the Law School of Santiago. Our office attorney went to this school.

And so I close with a photo of the opera house. They specialize in programs for children...  One can buy season passes to see all kinds of ballets, choirs, plays, etc...  The only problem is that I probably won't be able to find this place later!