Explore What You Can Everyday

Wow! Can I just start off by saying that Santiago has made a great impression on me so far. Not only because of all the trees and mountains in the background, but also because everyone is so NICE! The people here are, from my experience, always willing to help you with directions and seem eager to return the goofy smiles I give them. I feel as if I am currently in the hidden gem of the world. I am positive that when asked where is the one place they would like to travel in the world, a person would not respond with Chile as the answer. But Chile is so unique being completely surrounded my a mountain chain on its eastern side and the pacific ocean on its western side. It also is very long, containing a wide range of natural landscapes that seem breath-taking. I hope that I can take advantage of the bus rides offered and the excursions my program will go on so I can experience the northern, southern and western life Chile has to offer.

Since I haven't posted for a couple days, I am just going to talk about my tour of downtown Santiago yesterday and my hike up San Cristobal today. Starting with the tour downtown, a few friends from my program decided to get a group of people together to see some of the popular spots downtown. We all met at La Moneda (pictured above) which is Chile's equivalent to our White House in D.C. My trip to La Moneda required me to take the train all by myself, but have no fear because I'm practically a master at navigating the subway system :). Once at the Moneda, a tour group near the building gave my friends and I free maps of the popular Santiago spots. So following that, we all headed to La Plaza de Armas. The plaza was actually under renovation so all we could see were the buildings surrounding it, which were still very beautiful. 

At the plaza, we visited Chile's national history museum which was very interesting. There I learned more about the Mepuche, the largest indigenous tribe in Chile, and about the communist-like rule in the country. The plaza was a fun area, but all of us were mainly excited to head over to Santa Lucia, the second highest point in Santiago. Santa Lucia was absolutely beautiful, with a great view of the city and nature greens galore.  I have posted pictures below of my adventures there.

Last but not least involves my travels today. The same group of friends and I set out for San Cristobal, the highest point in Santiago where the Virgin Mary stands watching over the city. To get to Mary was very difficult however, because we had to hike all the way to the top in eighty degree weather. Let's just say that my shoulders are very unhappy with me and my SPF 50 sunscreen did not calm the pain. It is ok though, because the top of the hill was breath taking and up near Mary everything was very tranquil. On top of the tranquility, however, I also felt a little sad. Being so high up was definitely a powerful experience, but the strong spiritual atmosphere that surrounded the place was making me remember those who have passed, the struggles my loved ones face today and the unknown future ahead. I couldn't help but shed a few tears, remembering Baba, my grandfathers and James, a friend from my high-school who passed away recently due to a terrible accident. At the same time though, remembering them at such a spiritual place made me smile through the tears and know that the time I did spend with them, if any, was great and never will be forgotten. Also I took the time to pray for my uncle Walter, a strong individual who is struggling with a major obstacle life has thrown at him. Just the fact that this one place in Santiago evoked many emotions and memories from me showed how powerful and important it is to make the effort to go places you may have never thought of going and to take advantage of the time life gives you. 

To end the day at San Cristobal, we all went down the mountain/hill via the funicular-the cart pictured below. I was kind of scared because I don't really enjoy heights and the funicular seemed kind of wobbly.