Journeyman Dan
 Not In Kansas Anymore... So woke up early (possibly due to the couple of hours shut-eye I had treated myself to the previous day), and after breakfast (inclusive but not expansive) headed to try and find the main square of Santiago called Plaza De Armas. It´s very easy to become disorientated when walking and talking so took us (Gordon and I) slightly longer to find it than if we had been paying attention. There are many many Plaza De Somethings but this one is considered the ´town centre´ and has the majority of tourist sites only a hop and a skip away. Adjoining the main square are many tourist sites such as museums and a cathedral. The cathedral was huge, extended way back like a tardis and full of religious paintings, sculptures and as a functional place of worship, a large altar. Moved on to the `Museo Historico Nacional` more or less next door to the cathedral. As we moved around this museum we were kept informed of the history of the culture by provided MP3 players with pre-loaded information. This is where my Chilean adventure really began!! On exiting the museum I was told that my friend had already left. I couldn`t spot him anywhere so decided to sit on a bench and wait for him to return. Only had been there for 10 minutes when a young Chilean guy started talking to me in Spanish. I didn´t really understand the majority of what he was saying, but understood that he wanted me to go somewhere with him. As a new traveller I was uncertain about engaging in conversation, wary that it may be one of these `distraction tactics` i`d heard about - i.e. someone talks to you and distracts you whilst simultaneously their partner in crime comes up behind you and rifles through your belongings. However there was something about his mannerisms I trusted and I`ve gone with that instinct. So keeping my wits about me, warily followed him to what he wanted to show me. Ended up spending the rest of the afternoon together, had some lunch and swapped contact details. He took me to the historical hill, Cerro Santa Lucia and on entering engaged in a most amusing conversation with a guard. From what I could interpret there would be a a huge firework show at midday. Seemed awfully strange to me, but when in Rome... Anyways we were sitting in one of the parks on the hill admiring the cascading waterfall. Kept checking my watch as I knew something was about to happen. The conversation between Max and I was very halted, and to construct sentences we had to use a lot of gesticulating and maximising what we could get out of the limited, but useful phrasebook I have. BOOM!!!!! I jumped about 4 feet in the air and Max just fell about laughing. It wasn`t a fireworks show but a cannon-blast that happens everyday at 12. Definitely was not expecting that, but it`s all good fun. We arranged to meet again in Santiago before I left and before we parted he gave me some useful tips on avoiding thieves and keeping an eye on my belongings in congested areas. Walked back through Santiago to the hostel where I found Gordon again. Apparently he had been waiting for me and we had just missed each other. Had a couple of beers at the hostel before heading to restaurant very close by which had been highly recommended time and again, Los Vacas Gordas (The Fat Cow). Easy to spot, due to the overly-large cow pattern adorning the entrance-way, made our way inside to a very fancy restaurant, leving me feeling a bit underdressed. Not that anyone else seemed dressed up, but sometimes you have to make the effort and I hadn`t. The meal itself was decidingly satisfying and rather filling. As well as the customary litre of beer I treated myself (after checking it was ok with Gordon - a vegetarian) to a Filete Paradilla. This comes rolled up like a swiss roll and is deceptively large. Highly recommended! Said goodbye to Gordon as he was heading off to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) for a week and arranged for the following day to visit a cultural site with Rienk. Cheers, Dan
|
Diary Photos
|
Statue In The Heart Of Santiago |
 Centre Cathedral |
 My New Chilean Friend - Max |
| 798 Words | This page has been read 57 times | View Printable Version |