First Day in Santiago de Chile

 Well, that was quite a flight.  Panama City is almost exactly north of Lima (where I was), and Santiago almost due south of Lima.  So my trip to Lima was (1) a 3-1/2 flight from Lima to Panama City, (2) a five-hour layover, and (3) a six- hour flight to Santiago.

??!?? Why?!?

Because this ridiculous flight, most of which was a total waste, was $200, whereas a direct flight was twice that.


So, once again I'm in a high-rise, this time on the 20th floor.  This time my fear of heights seems more to be under control.  I've finally realized that if I'm going to have a kitchen, I'm probably going to be in a high rise.  All I really need is a mini-fridge for sandwich supplies, but that's not a search option on the booking sites.


The entry for this one is a little odd -- through the gate, then halfway through the (covered) block to the entrance on the left.



I'm once again staying in the city center, which unlike some isn't run-down.  On the other hand, the many skyscrapers make it uncharming.



First day (after my 20-hour day of travel!) is always "get your bearings" day.  I'm about 1-1/2 blocks from the main square, Plaza de Armas:









This is the Palacio de la Real Academia, which now houses the National Historical Museum.  I didn't go in.


The Metropolitan Cathedral.  I didn't go in.



Creepy "Justice" statue:


Surprise!  A lot of the area is pedestrianized!



The Plaza de la Constitution, a few blocks away, is kinda uninteresting:





Basilica de la Merced:


Dinner time, a delicious mushroom and cheese empanada, $3.80.  Also, I was excited to find Sprite, scarce as hen's teeth in South America!



$18 got me sandwich fixin's for the week!















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