Saturday, March 24, 2012

Rolling with the Punches

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(Street Art in Bellavista)

I the middle of the night, my first one here in Santiago, I woke with a start. I felt an eerily familiar sensation and even still half asleep I knew what was happening at once - an Earthquake. It didn't last long, maybe 15 seconds or so. It's hard to evaluate how much time is passing after coming out of a deep sleep with a start at four in the morning. As I lie in bed I wasn't scared. I took a moment to evaluate the situation and realized that everything was fine so I rode it out in bed rather than in the door way. In moments it was over, no harm no foul, so I drifted off back to sleep. It was actually kind of fun. Yes, I know, I'm sick. When I woke up in the morning I wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality so I hopped on the computer. There wasn't anything in the news about it. But then I went to a site (Hey, I live in earthquake country. I know about these things.) that tracks earthquakes globally on a continual basis and lo and behold there was indeed an earthquake here last night. What was unexpected was the magnitude and epicenter: 5.1 centered right near Santiago proper. I made sure the folks back home knew I was okay, just in case something was reported on the news. Thankfully, there was no damage I could see in Santiago.

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(Museo Belles Artes)

This morning I also decided to change hotels. This one is more expensive. It's actually another apartment rental, but it is so much nicer and much more secure. Now I don't have to lug my computer around everywhere I go. If I lived in Santiago I would actually love to live in this apartment full time. It's so clean and modern and centrally located. I lucked out finding this one.

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(Lunch in Bellavista)

I spent most of the day exploring the city on foot. I've been walking absolutely everywhere. I really think it's the best way to see and feel the city. I started at the Art Museum, which is housed in a gorgeous colonial building with a small but quite fine art collection, including some modern exhibits. There was a war propaganda exhibit that was especially intriguing including everything from posters by Norman Rockwell urging Americans to buy war bonds to Maoist propaganda posters from Vietnam, similar to ones we have hanging in our house. After the museum I was starving so I made my way across the river into Barrio Bellavista, known for it's shops, bars and restaurants. Here I had lunch and spent my time people (and llama) watching.

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(Cerro Santa Lucia)

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(Cerro Santa Lucia)

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(Cerro Santa Lucia reflected in a high rise.)

In the afternoon I decided to climb to the top of Cerro Santa Lucia to get a good look at the urban sprawl of the city. It's more of a public park on a hill than anything, although there is a castle at the top. Here children play, and tourists, like myself, seek out a moment of peace from the noise of the traffic below. Unfortunately the castle was closed so I couldn't go all the way to the top but I still got a good view.

(Cerro Santa Lucia)

(Cerro Santa Lucia)

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(Cerro Santa Lucia)

(Cerro Santa Lucia)

Back at the base of the hill, I sat in a plaza with the locals to read a little. It seems all the city's plazas and parks are teeming with life on the weekends. I continued to wander, discovering a crowded walk street that led me to the Plaza des Armas. The Plaza was overflowing with people, happy on a Saturday afternoon. There were children vying for balloons, people dancing to live music and artists painting for the tourists. The sun was starting to fall so I decided to indulge in a movie, justifying it by trying to improve my Spanish.

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(A clown entertaining the crowd on the walk street.)




(Plaza des Armas)


After the movie I walked back to Barrio Bellavista to grab some dinner and do some more people watching. Bellavista is even more lively at night, when the moon rises. Here people are dressed to the nines, ready to drink and dance the night away. My waiter even asked me to join him at a dance club across the street after his shift, and while I know Marc wouldn't mind, I politely declined. Seeing the people lined up to get in I felt sorely underdressed. I know, I know. I should have gone but I'm okay with not going. I still had a great day in the city.

7 comments:

  1. Holly. It is great to follow you on your journey. Is there someplace that describes the "what and why" of this trip? How long? Is it work related, or just a "run away and get lost trip?" Looking forward to following your posts.... - Rick

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  2. Holly. It is great to follow you on your journey. Is there someplace that describes the "what and why" of this trip? How long? Is it work related, or just a "run away and get lost trip?" Looking forward to following your posts.... - Rick

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  3. Love reading your posts Hollie...vicariously living through your adventures. Thanks for sharing and stay safe my friend. Definitly listen to your gut and trust your intuition!

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  4. Hey Holly. Great to see your travel blogs. Sounds like fun. Is there a post somewhere that tells the "why - why - how long" - meaning why are you on the trip, what are you hoping to find / discover / how long are you gone? Sounds like fun so far! I look forward to following! - Rick

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  5. Love reading your posts Hollie...vicariously living through your adventures. Thanks for sharing and stay safe my friend. Definitly listen to your gut and trust your intuition!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love reading your posts Hollie...vicariously living through your adventures. Thanks for sharing and stay safe my friend. Definitly listen to your gut and trust your intuition!

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  7. Love reading your posts Hollie. Living vicariously through this blog, as it sounds like you're having a great adventure! Keep safe my dear friend, and you are so right to trust your intuition...follow your gut. Hugs and besos mi amiga - te quero mucho :)

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