Thoughts and Observations on Chile

Trip Start Mar 03, 2010

Trip End Jul 13, 2010

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Flag of Chile Santiago, Chile
Sunday, April 25, 2010

   Chileans are very friendly, and quite willing to help you out with big smiles. Santiago is a smoggy and busy city but there are a lot of small towns where there is lots of agriculture and a quieter life. Culture is somewhat influenced by the West, but there is a lot more markets spilling on the sidewalks where you can buy just about anything. The fruit and vegetables here look healthier and fresher than in Argentina. You can also find supermarkets which sell clothes, pots and pans, stereos and even tents. It was nice to see some familiar items such as oatmeal, ziplock bags, and modern kitchen utensils.
   Food-lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, great empanadas-better than the average Argentinian ones. Some have seafood, and some are made with green beans and mushrooms and cheese-oh my! There is also a lot of seafood to be had, great soups, and potato and meat dishes. There are hot dogs smothered with avacado and tomato, and I had some great stews and the likes in the markets for dirt cheap. Mmmm.........
   90% of Chileans are catholic, and there is a religious statue or cross-generally atop a high hill-in every city and town.
   Land-Chile is very narrow and very long which makes travel pretty straight-forward. The south has beautiful scenery consisting of mountains, lakes and glaciers. The mid-south has a beautiful lakes disrtict, with huge lakes, mountains and active volcanos. The middle of Chile has a beautiful wine region and the North has some beautiful beaches, deserts, and geisers.
   Transport-Santiago has a great subway system that is more more modern and easy to use than B.A. even. The bus system is similar to that of Argenitna for long distance services but they have screens at the front of the but that show you how fast the bus is going at all times, who the driver is and the time.
   Temperature-cooler in the South, but generally quite warm in the North.

Santiago hotels

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