The Chilean friends we made in Mendoza told us that if we ever came to Santiago, they would love to give us a tour of their city. Little did we know, that tour would turn into a weekend...one of the best I have had here in Chile.
On Friday, we met up with Emily's friend Michael who is studying in Santiago for the semester. He took us to el Cerro Santa Luisa, the second tallest cerro in the city. Climbed the steps to the lookout, took pictures by the castle, shopped in a Mapuche market, and tried Mote con huesillos (a traditional Mapuche drink made of peach juice, sugar, wheat, and a dried peach).
My favorite view was from the top of Santo Cristobal, the highest point in the city, where the Virgin Carmen, protector of Chile, looks out over Santiago. The city seemed to go on forever.
Friday night we went to Juan Pablo's house and met his family. I constantly feel overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth of the people here. They taught us how to make Pisco Sours—my favorite chilean drink and we ate seafood and talked for hours. With elections coming up in November and the anniversary of the golpe de estado (coup d'état) next Wednesday, it has been a blessing to hear the thoughts and stories of so many different people about Chile's past, present, and future.
We spent the weekend eating traditional college student food: Churasco and As. Both consist of grilled meat, avocado, garlic mayonnaise, and white bread... and are delicious.
We spent one afternoon in Polmaire, a pueblo south of Santiago. It is famous for its pottery...and for its giant empanadas. It consists of one dirt road that is lined with shops and stalls overflowing with pottery, alpaca socks, and jewelry. For $500 pesos ($1 dollar), I bought my host mom a beautiful vase. Our friends were laughing at us because we were both so excited about the prices...I wish I had extra suitcases to bring pots, platters, and dishes home!
On Saturday night they took us to a Beer Festival where one of their favorite bands was performing. We danced, drank beer, and watched a couple of bands before they kicked everyone out at twelve.
Before we left on Sunday, Emily and I went to the museum of Bellas Artes. The building was beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the cultural center of the city. The streets were quiet, the park full of people on blankets and street vendors, and every block had its own café.
The entire weekend, I could not stop thinking that it all was too good to be true! How lucky are we to have Chilean friends to show us the capital?
They are hopefully coming to visit Valparaíso soon and we are talking about taking a road trip later this year!
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