Santiago, Chile - Odds and Ends

Vibrancy
Santiago is lively.  People are out on the street at all times of day, talking, selling, walking, eating.  Their central market is gigantic and sells everything you can imagine.  This stand was selling relishes and pickles by the barrel.

We were looking for breakfast here and got caught up in the maze.

I had to keep reminding myself that everything is in reverse south of the equator.  Late November is strawberry season here.

Somehow Dodo always orders the best things, even when she doesn't know what they are.  We kept seeing a breakfast item called the "completo", which turned out to be a sausage in a bun, covered with a layer of creamed avocado and mayo.

Late in the afternoon and continuing well after midnight, a street called Pio Nono comes alive.  It is five blocks of outdoor eating and drinking.  We sat for a drink one evening and noticed people were actually looking at each other in the eyes, talking.  Nobody had their cellphone out.

We tried the food Santiago is known for - the empanada.  Here they are as big as your head, and the classic version is stuffed with ground beef, potato and raisin.

 We tried out the subway once. 

 It's as modern as any I've taken.

Like in Paris, their cars run on rubber wheels, something all subways should change to.  It makes for a quiet smooth ride.

Shades of Tokyo - vending machines selling electronic equipment.