The first time I flue abroad I was 26. I took a sabbatical to visit Europe, after walking in 50 cities plenties of history, many different cultures, and a wide range of development level of tourism services I realized my born city is more interesting than much of Santiago people think.
Now every time a foreigner friend come to visit me I take the time to plan what to do to show them the real city and its surroundings. This is the first time I will write about one these visits and hope It will be helpful for you to enjoy your visit.
First of all the number one advice that should be valid until 2021 when the new airport will be fully operational. You got to be patient to get in/out of the airport. It was built to support 12 million passengers a year and for this year forecast is 30 million passengers, so be careful with the time schedule, with the transportation you hire and some other risks you may find in traffic and security.
Beyond the airport, the city experience is smooth and joyful, and now and on I will write about three topics on each post, 1. food and drinks, 2. city sightseeing, and 3. natural spot. This time I can suggest:
- Summer food
We enjoy different dishes based on corn. Humitas, Pastel de Choclo y Porotos Granados are part of the common summer diet of Chileans. Humitas are traditionally made with a special type of corn from the central zone of Chile, but normal corn can be used as well, but what really matters is how a simple preparation of boiled corn wrapped by its on leaves can be so delicious, sweet or salty, with just tomato slices aside. Pastel de Choclo is very popular in Chile, made with a skim mixture of corn, filled with beef or chicken, or both in the same pie. It is made in the oven in a big pan or individual ones, add eggs, basil, raisins, and even black olives, but the taste is basically the same. And if the day is not too hot, go for Porotos Granados, beans and corn mixed with sweet pumpkin, basil, and some other herbs is finally seasoned with a fried sauce of onions and red not hot pepper, all that will make you experience a tasty lunch at very known places like Liguria, Galindo or Doña Tina, but so Chilean that you can find them in popular “cocinerias” in La Vega Central, El Mercado de Abasto, an some other cheap places.
- Violeta Parrra and Gabriela Mistral
Two very recently established museums are dedicated to the main female artists on Chilean history. Violeta Parra the most prolific artist who is recognized as singer-songwriter, painter, sculptor, embroiderer, and ceramist who ended her life no more than one year by suicide after writing a song named “Gracias a la vida” (Thanks to life) in 1967. Her museum is located in Vicuña Mckenna Av. 2 blocks from Baquedano Metro station.
The other one, Gabriela Mistral, won the Nobel on Literature in 1945 and in her name was founded a full Culture Center just out of the Universidad Católica Metro station no more than 10 blocks from Violeta’s place.
Both places deserve the time to be visited and if ther is a play or a musical show much better.
- Glaciar El Morado
One of the things I love about Santiago beyond the city itself it’s the chance to connect with the nature.
Driving just a couple of hours south-east thru the Cajon del Maipo We will be in the middle of the Andes, where a two hours trail lead us to an amazing place.
At an altitude of about 3.400 meters over sea level we will find a glacier but a particular one. Suspended from the Morado mountain like a bridal tail the Hanging Glaciar relays over a small lake where parts of it float to the shore.
An astonish picture where the peace and silence overwhelm you It is a memorable experience we can enjoy in a just one day trip. An experience I will repeat every time I can.
Hope you are getting interested in Santiago and surroundings.
