Santiago de Chile

I had a quick trip to South America back in July.
A couple of days in Lima, Peru, and then down to Santiago, Chile.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

This was a quick shot out the hotel window,  There was a lot more color a few seconds before, but as the sun rose, the light on the underside of the clouds changed quickly.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

One unfortunate thing, the range of mountains that Santiago backs up to hems in the haze and pollution.  This photo took some extreme contrast to chase away the smog.  Off to the left is the tallest building in South America.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Took a cool climb to the top of a rock outcropping in central Santiago that was used as a fortress by the Spanish.  Like in Mexico City, a small number of invading foreigners needs an easily defended spot as it's headquarters.  Looking down from the upper part of the rocks you can see canon and walls surrounding what is now a nice park.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

It's a pretty steep climb.  There are several castle and fortress-like buildings.  Lots of folks climbing and walking on a Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Cool artwork in another central city park !

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Another item in the park, a cooler full of sushi...ready to eat !!
(2000 Chilean pesos is about four US Dollars...I passed.)

 

But seafood is a big thing in Chile (just look at a map, see how much coastline they have).  This is the Central Market, near the city center.  A large square building, with a row of fish markets around the perimeter...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

...with all sorts of fish, shellfish, octopus, eel, etc...

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

A wide selection, just off the boats.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Then, in the center of this square building, are several restaurants...seafood of course, about as fresh as it gets.  Also souvenirs, but on the day we went there, a Sunday, the place was packed with people who looked to be locals.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

 A great place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon, some great seafood, a little wine...

 
Later that evening, we hung out in a cool open-air area with restaurants, souvenirs, art shops, bars, etc.  It was great.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Tuesday we headed South well before dawn.  We had a meeting at a mine a couple hours away from Santiago, not any time for photos, but I snapped a couple through the fog and dim light, as the scenery rushed by...

 

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

I like this one, snapped out the back window of the truck as we left the mine sight.  Fortunately, it was only an elevation of around 6000 feet...not so bad.  Many others here and in Peru are at the 14000 foot levels, and the high altitude can be really tough to deal with.  I have a colleague who, on two different occasions, woke up in an ambulance, wearing an oxygen mask, because he was found passed out from lack of oxygen.  Gotta' have buddies who look out for you !

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

Chile has a lot of graffiti.  Not a record amount let's say, I've been to cities that are much harder hit, but Chile has it's share.

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin

But this particular "graffiti " is different.  In 1973, Augusto Pinochet took power in Chile after a Coup d' Etas, ousting Leftist President, Salvador Allende.  Pinochet remained as dictator until handing over power in 1990.  During this time, thousands of Leftists dissidents and Pinochet opponents "disappeared"...as many as 30,000.  This painting, in a small village South of Santiago, honors the several residents of that village who were taken away by security forces, and never returned.  It remains a difficult, highly emotional subject for all Chileans.

Y'all take care.

- Mark W. Laughlin

 

 

Photo by Mark W. Laughlin