Day 3 Santiago and the start

Another walk and then the 6pm tour introduction to OO ! It’s not quite Dragoman!

Another walking tour but this time it’s the alternative non business area taking in some old embassies , murals depicting the attempts to change the constitution and a traditional inn, the posada del Corregidor - a haunt of Neruda !
Crossing the river is like entering a different city as it was original area for the poor folk and now it’s embraced all the migrants - a strong Palestinian area, South Koreans and others from South America ! The outdoor
Flea market leads to vegetable and meat and fish markets such as la vega chica !
We learn about the mapuche , the original people I think ! There are hundreds of small food stalls and including their version of cottage pie - Chilean ‘corn pie’, or pastel de choclo, spiced beef mince is topped with a fluffy layer of smashed sweetcorn and it also includes garlic , spices , eggs and other stuff ! Tempted by the very sweet drink called Mote con huesillo! We are treated a sopaipillas which is type of corn bread which is best eaten with spicy chilli sauce . The weird seaweed on sale appears to be an alternative to vegetables and milk !
We finish with obligatory cemetery visit which all mod cons , temples , multi story flats and rows of filing cabinets ! It’s odd and with a lot of odd customs and shrines to the sainted and famous !

The evening meeting went well and it seems a happy camp and good mix - they appear to drink and have fun so looking good !
Off on the road tomorrow at 8am heading south for bush camp !Read more