Simmering in Santiago

After a nearly unbearable 1.5-hour, 90-degree bus ride from Valparaíso (have we mentioned, it seems like the fancy new technology of air conditioning does not exist yet here?), we arrived in Santiago, the capital of Chile. We spent our first day sweating: our bags are too small to fit our boots in, so despite the 93-degree weather, we traveled in long pants, wool socks, and full leather boots. This would not be so bad, except we had to navigate from the bus station to the metro to our hostal, all while carrying our 35-pound packs. Yikes.

We climbed up Cerro Santa Lucía in the middle of the city, and got some great views that are only partially obscured by the layer of smog. (Notice the small, white statue on the hill to the left--you'll be seeing her again later.)


Today, we were lucky to have a slightly cooler (85 or so) day. We put on shorts and sandals and walked around the parks near our hotel.


Santiago was built around a river. I imagine that it looked a bit better a few hundred years ago...


Tomorrow we're off for Punta Arenas. Given that it's a 4.5 hour flight directly to the South, we'll definitely be in for cooler weather there.