Just Another Manic Monday - May 29
Like the Bangles sing, "It's just another Manic Monday...wish it were a Sunday..." That sentiment is very true in Chile when most museums and attractions close on a Monday. As a traveler, you normally look forward to your Mondays with no work or obligations and all the free time in the world to explore. Luckily, my British friends, Alex, Betty, Janine, and I figured that we could still sightsee if we went to the things that might be open like libraries, churches, parks and markets. So, we planned to hit Biblioteca Nacional, Cerro Santa Lucia and the San Francisco Cathedral. With them all being within a three block radius of one another, we had quite a relaxing day.
We took the metro from Universidad de Santiago to the Santa Lucia stop. First attraction, the National Library of Chile. Ok, I admit that it sounds a little boring but it turned out to be quite a find. They had a display of beautiful artwork which was at one point part of an exhibition of art that was projected onto to their building. The most striking drawing was that of 11 de Septiembre. It represents the military coup on September 11, 1973 which overthrew Allende and installed Pinnochet. So many tragedies have occurred in history on September 11. It truly is an auspicious date. We wandered around the library taking funny pictures of us reading encyclopedias, checking out books at circulation and relaxing in the posh cafe. The security guards were more amused than concerned by our activities. Me pienso.
Second attraction of the day was the Cerro Santa Lucia, the hill from where Santiago was founded. At this attraction, we were a little bit concerned about our security so, we locked all our packs. Our fears were put aside when we were greeted by security guards at every level of the trek up the hill. I walked up the palatial yellow and white stairs to a plaza with a statute of ? and a beautiful water fountain. Next plaza, had a small church which was closed. Continuing up the steep hill was like working out on a natural stairmaster. Again, the view of Santiago was marred by not only the smog but also a large billboard for El Codigo Da Vinci.
Third attraction was the San Francisco Cathedral but it was closed. Yes, even God takes Monday off in Santiago. We continued our walk through downtown and saw many of the closed sites like the museums and the Municipal Theatre. Finally, we hit the main plaza in town, Plaza de Armas. Men playing chess, pigeons snacking off of the chilenos leftover lunches, and again young couples embracing. The Plaza is surrounded by many impressive buildings including a large Cathedral. My favourite site in the Plaza was the Indian face. It is a statue which looks like the Rapa Nui in Easter Island.
Finally, we found another site to see. In fact, God does not have the day off in this predominantly Catholic country. Instead, he is at the Cathedral in the Plaza. It was an impressive church. It appears plainer than most grand cathedrals but it was one cathedral in all of my travels where I felt people were actually serious about their faith. All of the Catholics who entered took the holy water and made the sign of the cross. Even more surprising was that the confessional. The priest was taking them publicly in the sense that there was no traditional box. He just took them face-to-face.
We ended the day by shopping in the malls close to Plaza de Armas and then wandering over to the markets in Bellavista. They were more food markets than handicraft markets and were buzzing with activity. The first one was under tarps and then other was in a large building. I think the locals frequent this one as opposed to the slightly more touristy Mercado Central according to the insider info courtesy of my N.Z. friend, Jade.
At times, I feel like I am recreating the Amazing Race episodes in Santiago where they went to the Cerro San Cristobal, the National Library, Cerro Santa Lucia, and to the Mercado Central. I managed to see them all in two days. And as in the Amazing Race, I also plan to go through the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina on Thursday. On Tuesday, I plan to take a day trip out to Vina del Mar.
We took the metro from Universidad de Santiago to the Santa Lucia stop. First attraction, the National Library of Chile. Ok, I admit that it sounds a little boring but it turned out to be quite a find. They had a display of beautiful artwork which was at one point part of an exhibition of art that was projected onto to their building. The most striking drawing was that of 11 de Septiembre. It represents the military coup on September 11, 1973 which overthrew Allende and installed Pinnochet. So many tragedies have occurred in history on September 11. It truly is an auspicious date. We wandered around the library taking funny pictures of us reading encyclopedias, checking out books at circulation and relaxing in the posh cafe. The security guards were more amused than concerned by our activities. Me pienso.
Second attraction of the day was the Cerro Santa Lucia, the hill from where Santiago was founded. At this attraction, we were a little bit concerned about our security so, we locked all our packs. Our fears were put aside when we were greeted by security guards at every level of the trek up the hill. I walked up the palatial yellow and white stairs to a plaza with a statute of ? and a beautiful water fountain. Next plaza, had a small church which was closed. Continuing up the steep hill was like working out on a natural stairmaster. Again, the view of Santiago was marred by not only the smog but also a large billboard for El Codigo Da Vinci.
Third attraction was the San Francisco Cathedral but it was closed. Yes, even God takes Monday off in Santiago. We continued our walk through downtown and saw many of the closed sites like the museums and the Municipal Theatre. Finally, we hit the main plaza in town, Plaza de Armas. Men playing chess, pigeons snacking off of the chilenos leftover lunches, and again young couples embracing. The Plaza is surrounded by many impressive buildings including a large Cathedral. My favourite site in the Plaza was the Indian face. It is a statue which looks like the Rapa Nui in Easter Island.
Finally, we found another site to see. In fact, God does not have the day off in this predominantly Catholic country. Instead, he is at the Cathedral in the Plaza. It was an impressive church. It appears plainer than most grand cathedrals but it was one cathedral in all of my travels where I felt people were actually serious about their faith. All of the Catholics who entered took the holy water and made the sign of the cross. Even more surprising was that the confessional. The priest was taking them publicly in the sense that there was no traditional box. He just took them face-to-face.
We ended the day by shopping in the malls close to Plaza de Armas and then wandering over to the markets in Bellavista. They were more food markets than handicraft markets and were buzzing with activity. The first one was under tarps and then other was in a large building. I think the locals frequent this one as opposed to the slightly more touristy Mercado Central according to the insider info courtesy of my N.Z. friend, Jade.
At times, I feel like I am recreating the Amazing Race episodes in Santiago where they went to the Cerro San Cristobal, the National Library, Cerro Santa Lucia, and to the Mercado Central. I managed to see them all in two days. And as in the Amazing Race, I also plan to go through the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina on Thursday. On Tuesday, I plan to take a day trip out to Vina del Mar.
posted by Susanne M | 8:12 PM
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