Erin Brocolli and Liz Taylor do Santiago

We loved hanging out with Katherine so much in San Pedro we decided we better head down to Santiago while she is still there. We had heard so much about the city and the wonderful family that she was staying with, we couldn't wait to get there. We arrived on September 17th, the day before the big Chilean parties. The 18th of September is their independence day and is celebrated all over. So much so that when we arrived in Santiago it seemed like a ghost town. No one was anywhere to be found on the streets and all the shops were closed.

Liz and I were lucky enough to stay at the same house as Katherine with the most amazing people ever. Ernie, Marcelo, and Carolina. Apart from that I was elated when I walked in the door and was greeted by a parade of wagging tails! Four dogs and one kitten! I am seriously in heaven to have all these pets around. All the dogs were rescued by one of their friends and adopted by Ernie and Marcelo. The three of them have made such a wonderful inviting home we were so lucky to be able to stay there. Most of our nights spent in Santiago we all sat around the dining room table eating delicious food prepared by either, Ernie, Marcelo, or Caro (I´m hoping we learned a few things in the few days because it was always AWESOME), drinking copious amounts of Chilean red wine, and playing a new card game called Carioca. We talked a lot (luckily Ernie is half American so he was able to translate for Liz, while Marcelo (of Rapa Nui decent) didn't speak as much English). The words Marcelo did speak were always hilarious as he made up english words by adding -ation to the end of any word. Much like someone who doesn't speak Spanish would add -o or -a to the end of an english word. Drinkation, Sleepation... you get the idea. Before long we were doing it too! They also gave us new nicknames in no time. Erin Brockovich was turned into Erin Brocolli and Liz quickly became Liz Taylor.

On the day of the 18th Katherine, Caro, Liz and I went to what is called a Fonda - which is basically a carnival of sorts. It really was not the rambunctious street fest we were preparing for so we decided to sit under a tent, drink cheap beer, and chat. We had fun, but decided to head back to the house and have a little party there. That was loads of fun - again eating and drinking and staying up all night.


Liz and I took a two day trip up to Valparaiso to see some more sights. Valpo is a beautiful city on the ocean with brightly painted houses on hills. We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast owned by one of Marcelos friends that had an amazing terrace looking over the whole city. Beautiful! One thing every one must try in Valparasio is Chorrillana. It's this crazy mix of french fries, grilled onions, egg, and meat. I can't really explain it other than to say it was AMAZING! I may have had a small heart attack while eating it, but it was worth it!
From Valpo we went to Isla Negra, one of the homes of Pablo Neruda. Neruda is considered one of the greatest and most influential poets of the 20th century and I recommend to all of you that you read a bit of his work. Neruda designed Isla Negra himself taking years to build. He loved all things having to do with the sea so much so that his whole house is built like a ship. The doorways are small and narrow, similar to a ships, the floors are all planks made to look like one of the decks, and windows that look like port holes. Aside from designing the house to look like a ship, he has tons of different collections in each room of the house as well most of which have a nautical theme. A huge room filled with beautiful seashells, different masks from all over the world and one of the neatest was his collections of the La Sirenas (wooden women, a few men, from the front of ships). A majority are in his living room facing the ocean. The house was also designed to have the most amazing view of the ocean. The house is built on a bit of a cliff over looking black rocks that gave Isla Negra its name. We were there on a day that was incredibly windy, but it made for the most impressive views with huge waves.
We got back to Santiago on Katherine's last night there. The family hosted a despedida, or going away party, for her. Again, more food and drinks! It was very sad to see Katherine go, but we are talking her into meeting up with us again in Buenos Aires for Thanksgiving (right, Katherine?)!

Our last day in Santiago we walked to Cerro San Cristobal. It is a big hill in the middle of the city that has been turned into a city park. We rode up on these space age looking trolleys, much like ski lifts. Heading up offers a great view of the city below. We were lucky in our timing that we were up there for the sunset. The mountains off in the distance glowed pink and peach and was just gorgeous. By the time we headed back down it was dark and we got to see all the sparkling lights of Santiago.
Santiago is much like Chicago. It's big but the neighborhoods are all really cool. The city is nestled in the mountains and it is just beautiful. Its very clean, modern and has a great public transportation system. (Better than Chicago!) We both decided we'd come back any day and stay with Ernie and Marcelo and Caro if they will have us!
Liz and I are headed back north to make our way into Bolivia! We can't wait to be back in the Andean atmosphere with high high altitudes and low low prices!