I started around 11 am at the hostel and took the Metro to Barrio 'Yungay' in the west of the city. This neighborhood is by far the least touristy one I've seen in Santiago so far. I think I was the only tourist walking through the streets today. It's like walking through a huge street art exhibition. There's not a single house that is not brightly painted. Here's just a small selection of photos I took today...
When I was already on my way to Barrio 'Brasil', I discovered a special gallery on the way. An artist collective has set up in a building that was burned to the ground on Catedral Street and lovingly decorated the courtyard. I let myself drift through the rooms and had an espresso in the courtyard. But now to Barrio 'Brasil' and have lunch on the way. The neighborhood is directly adjacent to Yungay and is one of the largest. Everything revolves around Avenida Brasil, where I ordered the so-called Menue del dia in a traditional lunch restaurant. It wasn't a culinary highlight, but still ok :-)I continued walking to Concha y Toro, a tiny neighborhood around the Plaza de la Libertad de Prensa, which is characterized mainly by opulently lavish houses. I left the small streets and continued on Avenida Brasil. I really wanted to visit the Salvador Allende Solidarity Museum. A highlight in this neighborhood. One is a small exhibition about Allende, and the other is exhibitions of contemporary artists. I was thrilled and finally out of the sun. After visiting the museum, I took the Metro back to Barrio Lastarria. I was there early yesterday and there was nothing going on. Now there were many people and I discovered a small antique flea market. Yay, a little browsing. I bought two very old postcards.I was already pretty tired and my legs were hurting, but I really wanted to go to the La Moneda Presidential Palace (still today), where Salvador Allende was executed on September 11, 1973 after the military coup by Pinochet, after a touching speech on the radio. This bitter part of recent Chilean history has always moved me... 'The history belongs to us, it is the peoples who make it... Long live Chile! Long live the people! Long live the working class! These are my last words, and I am certain that my sacrifice will not be in vain.' There is an Allende statue on the square in front of the palace, which I obvously HAD to photograph. It was late now and I made my way back to the hostel. A quick meal, packed my bag, because tomorrow morning I'll be off to the Andes, to Cajon del Maipo. I'm looking forward to pure nature. Kisses P.S.: I discovered a little funny highlight in Barrio Yungay. A tiny shop, stuffed with electronics, because it was a repair service. But apparently also a hair salon :-D hehehe
