Day 3 in Santiago

We woke with another late start and another late breakfast but with no real plans or obligations for the day other than to stop by the house to say goodbye to the newlyweds and drop off their wedding present (yes we forgot to do so the previous night).  We were both very relaxed about the day and, with it being a Sunday and most shops being closed, we headed to the city park to take the vernacular up the hill to see the statue of the Virgin Mary on Cerro San Cristóbal.  Built in 1925 the Funicular runs for almost 500 meters on a 45 degree incline.  While not entirely afraid of heights (more afraid of something breaking and me falling to an unpreventable death), I was happy when the 5 minute ride was over.  The kid behind us could have enjoyed the experience all day, although to be fair a 30 minute wait for 5 minute ride did seem a lot like Disneyland so I can understand his confusion.

At the top of Cerro San Cristobal stands the Virgin Mary.   Similar to the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, she watches over the city at 22 meters tall.  And while the views were great, the sun was hot and my stomach was empty so after a hot lap around the hilltop park we made the trip back down the hill and began the search for food.

 

After two failed attempts based on my lunch spot choices (we got so far as ordering a beer and eating the free bread at the second restaurant before giving up on the bad service), I handed over complete responsibility of restaurant selection to Martin for the remainder of the trip…and while we had great meals throughout the trip, on this particular day we ended up with no selection and went without lunch…he would argue that the beer and bread counted. Typical Martin.

We wrapped up our tour of Santiago with a wander through Barrio Lastarria which was possibly my favorite neighborhood with its quiet calm streets, local cafes, and artisian feel…they also supposedly have a great flea market but we were there on the wrong day…regardless, I was in heaven. 

Feeling satisfied with our time in Santiago and confident in ability to navigate the city and metro, we called another uber taxi to head back up the hill to Anna’s house to say hello, congratulations and good bye one more time to the happy couple. 

While already late afternoon by the time we arrived, the day was still hot and young, so the entire house -  family, cousins and friends - hopped into the pool to cool off, play around and enjoy the remains of the day.  Playing around turned out to be a very physical game of water rugby, similar to water polo but where you could stand on the bottom of the pool and the only time you had to stop was if someone was bleeding (no joke, Tim the groom received a black eye from a friendly game the day before the wedding). I cheered from the side of the pool while Martin played a few games (considerably well, I might add, given that he wasn’t wearing his glasses or contacts and therefore couldn’t’ see anything).

Pool time ended and we got dressed again for cocktails, beers and Palomas (white wine and fresh squeezed grapefruit juice…my new favorite drink).  Cocktails turned once again into dinner….  And what a dinner it was!  30 friends and family enjoying a Chilean BBQ feast of meats, tomato salad, grilled veggies, yummy dips, sausages and a gorgeous views of Santiago in the valley below and the Andes in the distance.  It was surreal.

 
We finally said goodnight after the last cake was finished and left with promises to see Anna and Tim in Berlin this summer.