We headed into Santiago city centre today (we are
staying in a surburb close to the city centre called Baro Barrisila) and we
were walking along and this dog started following me. I
wanted it to leave, so I crossed the road to get rid of it. The dog
followed.... Then I went into a store, the dog laid down and waited for me to
come back out. Finally, we managed to lose the dog once we came across other
dogs and it got preoccupied with them. We later found out that there are lots
of stray dogs that belong to the city and all residents of the city feed them
and there are lots of dog kennels in all the parks for the dogs to sleep in.
Once we got into the city centre we had a look at this really old Cathedral (built 1500's), the supreme court and jail. Then we went on this four hour FREE walking tour of the city (I say free tour, but we gave the tour guide a CH$10,000 tip (Approx $30NZ). This tip was kinda expected from the tour group and for four hours it wasnt too bad a price (NZ$15 each). The instructor (Phillipei) was really good. He knew his history of Santiago and was very enthusiastic. We got to see lots of sights and were given heaps of information about Chile and its history.
Within the city is a massive Chilean flag, biggest I have ever seen. We were told it is the size of a quarter of a football field. It is situated outside the Plaza de la Constitution.Once we got into the city centre we had a look at this really old Cathedral (built 1500's), the supreme court and jail. Then we went on this four hour FREE walking tour of the city (I say free tour, but we gave the tour guide a CH$10,000 tip (Approx $30NZ). This tip was kinda expected from the tour group and for four hours it wasnt too bad a price (NZ$15 each). The instructor (Phillipei) was really good. He knew his history of Santiago and was very enthusiastic. We got to see lots of sights and were given heaps of information about Chile and its history.
I was talking to this English couple on our tour and it turns out that they are both Property Valuers! So we now have their contact details. Its a small world!!! I started talking to them after they came up to Aimee and I and congratulated us on winning the Rugby World Cup. We both gave it away since I had my NZ soccer t-shirt on and Aimee had her RWC polo top on. We soaked up the praise and then I consoled them on Englands performance at RWC.
During the tour, the guide told us that the minimum wage in Chile is US$300 per month, so US$3,600 per year which is about NZ$5,000. Rediculous. Only someone who was living my lifestyle for the last month at home could afford a salary like that!!!
After the tour, we walked back to our hostel via the supermarket (called Tottus) and brought some sandwiches for tea, some snacks and water. We are now in our room just reading up on what we can do tomorrow. We will probably have another walk around the city and head up a hill which is about 1000 metres above sea level and can have 360 degree views of the city and also the Andes mountains.
We are staying in this hostel (La Casa Raga) until Thursday, we are then going to go to Valparasio which is on the coast. It is only a couple of hours away and the bus there only costs $5! There is another place approximately 15 minutes from Valparasio called Vina Del Mar. We are planning to pay a visit there aswell. Once we are over that area of the country, we plan to head over to Mendoza, Argentina. Great wine country and fantastic steaks so really looking forward to that.
Apparently todays temperature was 33 degress, but it felt more like a 25 degree day.
Santiago free walking tour - http://freetoursantiago.cl/portada.html
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