Charming Chile!!
Went over to Bella Vista, Santiago for dinner (27 June). Restaruant = Como Agua Para el Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate). Gorgeous courtyard and beautifully cooked salmon. Wandered around the quaint little bohemian shops displaying jewellery, textiles and cafes.
Finding the quick change of currency between Bolivia and Chile (we are only here for 1 1/2 days this time - just rubbing it in a little) a little confusing. We have notes up to 100 000 pesos (seems like a very large amount).
Our guide (Alwin) told us that we were lucky to have a June day with reduced smog - we had a good opportunity to view the panaroma of the Andes from San Cristobal Hill.
Chile is more like Australia - we have only seen a few beggars and the traffic appears to be somewhat organised. They even have lights controlling pedestrian traffic. In Peru and Bolivia it was definitely every pedestrian for themselves!! This is also apparent as we don´t have as many tales to tell.
Except....we are off to have coffee at a 'coffee with legs' cafe. The drinks here are served by scantily clad buff men (apparently there are many with women serving and the women decided that equality of the sexes was required)....to be continued!! (NB: The current president to Chile is a woman - move over Johnny!!)
Rio tomorrow!
Chow
