Arrived in Santiago during rush hour on the metro - gave up trying to get in a train after a while and then when I got on an empty one it soon filled up. Once my station came I tried to get out but my small amount of progress was quickly undone and politeness went out the window after I was swept back by those trying to get on the train. After a "For f***s sake let me out!" someone on the outside grabbed the straps of my rucksack and dragged me out of the train to my great relief. Decided not to go on the metro in rush hour with luggage again.

Went to hostel and checked in and rushed back out to catch a free walking tour - Tours for Tips which left from outside Belles Artes. Just got there in time and headed off on a tour of the makrets and the cemetry learning more about Chilean culture and politics as we went.

We went through the ish market - yummy - and then the main fruit and veg market. Everything looked so much better than our stuff in the UK!

In the cemtry we learnt about how expensive it is to be buried which is why there are so many people in one grave! Also learnt about the history of Allende and Pinochet - a sordid and touchy subject still.

I went back to the fish market for food then went around the two free arts museums before heading back to the hostel. I signed up for the pasta evening and this meant I met some more fellow travellers and didn't eat alone!

Next day was spent in Fiddlers Irish bar wtching 3 rugby matches. Wales thrashed Italy but unfortunately England won the grand slam. I met a Welsh guy who played at the bar who used to drink in the Albany - small world. Than evening I went to a Peruvian restuarant and had excellent ceviche and pisco sour.

Sunday was spent exploring Bellavista and the street art, visiting Pablo Neruda's house La Chascona and going up Cerro San Cristobel on the funicular. In the afternoon I did the Santiago highlights free walking tour to see what the rest of Santiago had to offer. We found out why there were so many stary dogs - people had brought them with them when they moved from the country and let them run around like they did in the country. When the pound tried to catch them people would let the strays into their houses or baricade the road so they couldn't be caught. Now the pund has got no funding so has been shgut and people look after the dogs giving them food, water and bedding and they are considered good luck if they get on the bus or walk you home at night!

Monday morning was off to Vina Undurraga for a wine tour - I was the only English speaker so ended up with a private tour of the winery! In the afternoon I walked around Cerro Santa Lucia and the shops and Plaza de Armas to see the extra sites. In the evening I ended up meeting up with the people from the pasta night and had a later night with beer, pizza and chat - a good end to my stay.