Santiago is a great city, probably the best city we have visited so far; however throughout our visit here we have had some highs and lows which is a shame really as this is a great place! We arrived in Santiago after an overnight bus journey and checked into our hotel, Monte Leon (AKA now named Monte Python). The accommodation was cheap and you could definitely see why! Complete with it's own creepy Spanish Fawlty Towers Manwell we checked into a room that reminded you of a prison cell! A dimly lit white washed room with no windows; however we looked on the bright side as it had a great location being a ten minute walk into the centre. We was both so tired that after a bit of errand running we decided to relax for the night. Unfortunately Jonathan woke with a tummy bug in the early hours which wiped him out for most of the following day. Being in the small dingy room (with no cleaning products) and with a very Ill Jonathan was not brilliant so as soon as it became light I ventured out for fresh air and to explore Santiago on my own. First of all however, I had to explain to Manwell in my bestest Spanish (complete with imitations!!) that the banos needed a good clean! He must have been delighted!
Being such a large city this was abit daunting on my own; I couldn't find a city map anywhere so with a good guess on which direction I should take I set off and managed to find the main square, Plaza de Armas. A beautiful square which holds the cities cathedral and is lined with artists and lots of old chileans playing chess. A great atmosphere! I managed to do a big loop of the city taking in the historic buildings, shops and street entertainment and luckily after nearly getting lost, finally arrived back in the Plaza to notice on the opposite side was a tourist information centre! Map in hand I discovered I had instinctually walked in the correct direction and viewed a fair bit of history along the way. After a few hours of strolling I decided to head back to check on my Jonathan. He finally submerged at 2pm ready to start the day armed with a bog roll, so we set off again to a park, Cerro Santa Lucia, which I stumbled across earlier on in my travels. A beautiful park which took us up a small summit which overlooked part of the city. It was glorious! Its always surprising to see these very trimmed and cared for parks in the midst of these concrete jungles and these city gardens have probably been an interest of mine in each place we have visited as I like seeing how well looked after they are! After a few more hours of walking we set off back to Hotel Monte Python to relax again for the night.
The following morning we woke to a happier Jonathan and set off early to try and find a Karate place. We found it to discover the karate class was at 8pm that night something which Jonathan was keen to participate in! We then headed to Park Metropolis which is home to Cerro San Cristobal and the Virgin Mary statue. Again stood on top of a very large mountain the statue looks down upon the city. This is probably 1/4 of the size of the Rio Jesus statue but is also very beautiful. Upon arriving at the park we found out the park zoo was shut and the Furnacular train up the mountain was broke so we had to walk. Two hours later we arrived at the summit! A lovely White statue of the Virgin Mary; It was also touching seeing the written prayers and nicnacs people had left at her feet! Excellent views but we was both shattered by then and knowing the park had two outdoor swimming pools we where keen to try them out! Another hour long walk later we arrived at the first pool. Upon viewing this pool we decided to continue walking to the next pool as it looked nicer and not too far on the park map. An hour and a half up the other side of another mountain we finally reached the second pool! The £20 entrance fee was not really worth it looking back, and as we where both starving by then, the rip off prices at the pool cafe where not great either! Anyway we decided to go with it as we had walked such a long way and therefore spent an hour hydrating by the pool. The walk back, Jonathan decided to take over directions and take us on what he thought was a shortcut downhill and across country to the exit. A mile in the wrong direction took us to the bottom of the mountain but left us at the opposite end and at the start of a motorway! Back up the hill and towards the other side finally brought us out at the right exit. Exhausted we made our way back to the hotel. Unfortunately by this time we was too late for the karate lesson. Probably a good job as I started on Jonathans haircut instead (quite a pro now!) only for my tummy to start growling. The bug had begun... Nooooo! Not great as I was facing a 30 hour bus journey the morning after! We had prebooked these tickets so we had to be on the bus. Waking up this morning still slightly queasy and now on the bus towards Arica im still alive, just! The sweeping deserty landscape and sand tornados taking my mind off it!
Santiago was brilliant; overall a huge city filled with abit of everything for everyone- great shops, history, greenery, character and overall its clean and pleasant and I felt extremely comfortable wandering about on my own. We both enjoyed our time here and would definitely visit it again. Till next time, Hayls and Jonathan