Santiago, Chile - Walking

Shade
Santiago is in the grip of spring, soon to be summer.  It's hot in the afternoon, close to 90.  Under the trees it's fifteen degrees cooler and in Santiago you can walk miles under the trees.  It's such a green, shaded city.

We were in search of breakfast when we saw a small park in the middle of downtown, built on a hill that climbed above the skyscrapers.  We returned on a full belly for a stroll.

Stuffed with food, I didn't find these stairs inviting, but I felt compelled.  Besides, Dodo was already climbing, so I followed.

There is always an easier way if you look, which we never seem to.  This elevator would've saved us a lot of huffing and puffing.

It's quiet, not what you'd expect in the middle of a busy city.  

We kept climbing up and up, on narrow stone steps.  The buildings were soon below us and the view opened up.

We got a good view back to San Cristobal hill, on the left.  Our apartment is at the bottom of that hill.  The line cut into it is a funicular that takes you to the top, which we planned to do later in the day.

When it came time to take the funicular, we were turned away.  Some kind of strike by the park workers.  Dodo said she heard the park would re-open at 5:30, so we came back.

The funicular was closed so we consulted the map and found a shortcut to the top, or so we thought.
At the entrance to the path, Dodo almost stepped right on him.  A few hundred yards later, we encountered another.  Dodo took a big step over him and he arched his back, stood up on his hind legs and took a swipe at her.  I went around, not over.

It was about a 3,000 foot climb in elevation so the path was steep and zig-zaggy.

We started to get some good views of the eastern side of the city.


The Andes are always the backdrop, no matter which way you look.

So strange to be sweating under a hot sun, look up and see snow.

After an hour of climbing, we hopped off the path onto a paved road which was right near the top of the hill.  The funicular was parked nearby.

As is the rule in South America, all mountains are topped with either a cross, Mary or Mr Jesus himself.  Santiago went with the immaculate conception theme.

There is an outdoor auditorium at her fee, where Pope Francis will be coming to speak in 2018.

This is a view to the western side of the city.  We spent thirty minutes taking in the views then got lucky and found a cab to take us back down .