Santiago!

Yes, I know it´s been a while since the last blog.  We´ve been settling in to our routine here and there wasn´t much new to report till recently.  Last weekend we traveled to Santiago to celebrate Mike´s 48th birthday in style!!

For those of you who don´t know (we just learned) there are approximately 17 million people living in Chile.  Of that 17 million over 5 million live in Santiago!  Yup, almost 1/3rd of the countries population live in one city.  And what a city it is!!  Santiago is located about six hours, by bus, north of Concepcion (pop. 890,000).  We traveled on a deluxe double decker bus (very popular way to travel here).  Ella and Mabel loved it!

Yes, we all were able to sit on the top level and enjoy a few movies in Spanish as we traveled smoothly to the big city. 

From what we saw, Santiago is a beautiful city with a fantastic metro system.  We spent a lot of time traveling underground (which in an earthquake prone country made me a little nervous) and always felt safe.

 We always had to look for the three red diamonds that signify a metro station.  After a few rides the girls knew what to look for and helped us find our way.


In the metro stations there was a lot of art work.  Each station had a different feel but every one of them was clean, and very well signed.  I guess it´s clear their metro is not that old.

On our first day we visited the MIM, Museo Interactivo Mirador.  This includes a small aquarium and an interactive science museum like none we have ever experienced before.  It was amazingly huge and tons of fun!

 The girls tried out just about every exhibit in the museum.  We spent over 5 hours playing and learning through high quality interactive displays.  We even put our little bit of Spanish to the test and read some of the explanations.  Our brains were maxed out!!!

Roll the little ball into the middle.

Can you see the skeleton riding with Ella?

The best bubble display ever!

Ella uses pulleys to life Mabel.

 The aquarium was less exciting but a nice change of pace.  It seems the two places (located on one campus) are not funded the same way.  I think the aquarium needs a little boost from the science museum.

We walked around and looked at both tropical and local fish. We learned about where the local fish we eat come from along the coast of Chile.  The folks that work at the aquarium really liked Mabel and Ella so they let us have a really up close look in the touch tank area.

Ella enjoys the local turtle (which urinated on me)

Mabel´s not so sure about the second largest frog species in the world.

After all this excitement Mike and I dragged the girls to an art museum in the middle of Santiago, the Bellas Artes.  Though the girls were tired, they rallied and picked out their favorite picture in each room.

Inside the Bellas Artes

Then we went out for a traditional Chilean dinner of MEAT.  All in all the day was exhausting and great. We hope Mike enjoyed the celebration of his 48th trip around the sun.
On Sunday we headed straight for the Moneda (Chile´s White House) to see the changing of the guard and the Phoenix II (the capsule that was used to rescue the miners).  It was strange watching the impressive military display with a statue of Salvador Allende (president killed in the 1973 coup) watching from the side of the square.

The jungle gym in the front is where the Phoenix II was displayed.

The music used in the ceremony was not oppressive but almost light-hearted.  It was interesting to watch and not feel that somber feeling most official military displays invoke.

Allende, always watching.

The Phoenix II was displayed on a stage that you could walk by if you waited in a really long line.  It was impressive to see how narrow the tube actually is, it made me feel claustrophobic.

Phoenix II

From here we ventured to the Museo de Arte Precolumbino (art from people who lived in Chile before Columbus arrived).  This was everyone´s favorite art museum.  Tons of stuff to look at and really nicely put together.  They only lost three pieces during the earthquake last February.  

Beautiful Pottery

Totems that protect the dead

After this we ate lunch and Ella met a miner in the plaza.  No, not one of the miners of recent fame, just one trying to make a buck in Santiago!

Ella´s found a new job.

From here we walked around and explored the central market and riverside park.  At the fish market they sell things we wouldn't normally see in the US.  

Central Market

Beautiful iron-work inside the very large market.

Octopus, barnacles, and huge squid for sale!!

This is not the first time we´ve seen really big barnacles for sale.  They even sell them in Concepcion at the regular fish department in the grocery store.  Someday we might be brave enough to purchase some and figure out how to cook them.

After this we walked up a big hill in the middle of town and looked out over the city, Cerro Santa Lucia.  This was a beautiful green spot with lots of nooks and crannies to check out.

Cooling their feet after a long walk!

Darwin liked this hill when he visited during his time on the Beagle.

Do the totems look familiar, I hope the girls do!

From here we called it a day!

On Monday we were more relaxed and walked around the neighborhood of our hotel.  We visited the outside of the massive US embassy compound. We were glad there was no reason for us to go inside.  Very impressive. 

Then we headed to the funicular that takes you up the side of a large hill that sits on one side of Santiago.  There is a zoo here (not open on Mondays, ugh!) and a huge virgin Mary, though Butte´s is still much larger!

The cars ride at almost a perfect 450 angle, it´s steep!

From the top we could see the not so beautiful Mapucho River that runs through Santiago.  You wouldn´t catch me tubing down this river! Believe me it´s nothing like the Clark Fork.

The river runs in a concrete viaduct all the way through the city.

It resembles the statue in Butte, MT, but it´s much smaller.

There were two constants in our travels through Santiago, you had to pay to use the toilets (not much, 25 cents) and you could always enjoy the traditional Chilean dessert of dried peaches (huesillo)  in a sweet syrup with barley (motte).

Notice the small sign asking for 150 pesos.

Very common traditional dessert

After the funicular we did some more sight seeing while wandering through the city.  During our stay we enjoyed the very warm days and relaxed lunches outside.  I don´t know when we´ll return but I would recommend a visit to anyone interested.

After three days in the big city we were all ready to head back to our adopted home of Concepcion.  The girls were actually happy to return to our small apartment and to go to school on Wednesday to see their friends.  Now the big excitement is Halloween.  We´re told they celebrate it the same way we do in the US.  I´ll let you know in the next post.

The following are a mishmash of pictures from Concepcion and the surrounding areas.  Enjoy!

Looking across the Bio Bio river to Concepcion.

Mabel´s fashion statement, backward pants!

Ella enjoying ice cream (helado)

The girls exploring a beach close to Concepcion.

They eventually did get it to roll  (in their dreams).

One of a million vegetable booths at the big market in Concepcion, The Vega.

The fish market at the Vega.

Tumbes, a fishing village that was hit by the tsunami and is now recovering.

Saturday spent inspecting the fleet in Tumbes.

We think of you all constantly.  Everyone here is doing well.  Thanks to everyone for all the emails, letters, and packages.  We feel far from home and your thoughts make us feel a little closer.  Take care and keep us posted on all that is happening in the Northern Hemisphere!