The Changing of the Guards

Today we did a tour around the city.  Our guide, Hugo, picked us up from the hotel and we started near the Cathedral at the Plaza de Armas.  We walked around the old Congress building and other buildings which were previously owned by wealthy Chileans. 

We arrived at La Moneda Palace, the office of the President of Chile (Michelle Bachelet - much loved) just as the changing of the guards was about to take place.  I love a bit of pomp and circus so we stayed for a while.  Notice the women Carabineros.  They were wearing make up and bright red lipstick.  You go girls.  I put one up in the extra.  The palace was bombed when Allende was overthrown.  It has since been rebuilt in concrete instead of it's original granite.  It's hard to believe all that went on not so long ago.

From there we walked to a pedestrian mall, Nueva York, and back to the Plaza de Armas for a cafe ( a word of warning don't try the cappuccini here they put cream in it -  cafe con leche is probably the best.  Chirimoya and strawberry juice comes highly recommended however).

A stroll to the cathedral with all the hawkers, living statues and crowds outside and what  a stark and peaceful contrast inside.  A beautiful Italianate building built Jesuits. 

We drove to the Cerro Santa Lucia for a panoramic view of the city.  Those snow capped peaks make a striking backdrop.  I put a 9 image pan up as an extra.  Then to the newer part of Santiago where the tallest building is.  

Back home for a rest and then out to the fish markets.  Unfortunately they had closed but we ate at a nearby fish restaurant.   A stroll back to the hotel through the parque Forestal.  It was alive with people out and about not to mention a lot of dogs.  The other thing I have noticed here is instead of people offering to wash your windscreen at the traffic lights, there are buskers and acrobats.  I saw some hip hoppers at one today who were very good. 

Tomorrow we head to the wineries!