Chile Day One

One of the typical Chilean meals I had called tostadas

I  have just woken up in my hotel after arriving last night in Santiago, the capital as well as the most populous city in Chile. Right as I walked downstairs, I was greeted by the very kind and friendly Spanish-speaking Chilean workers who eagerly made me an amazing breakfast. The course consisted of tostados, a toasted tortilla which was topped with tomatoes, avocado, black beans, and cheese, as well as cafe con leche, a drink that is made up of half milk and half coffee. This tasty meal showcased Chile’s ability to turn simple Latin American meals into tasty and flavorful creations. After I finished up my meal, I headed out to the historic Andes Mountains that surround much of Santiago. On my way to the Andes, I was able to see much of Santiago and its culture. As I entered the downtown area, I saw all the modern skyscrapers and other amazingly designed buildings that showed a lot of influence from Spanish architecture.

This was a picture I took that displays a view of what Santiago's downtown look like.

The downtown part of Santiago soon started to fade away as I soon began to see many neighborhoods. Many lower and middle class neighborhoods were evident throughout the area. Because it was Sunday, families were heading for church, and many kids were playing together; some playing soccer others ran around, enjoying their day off from school. The neighborhoods then began to disappear as I began to approach the Andes Mountains. I then took a hike up to one of the higher points of the mountain. During my hike, I was able to see interesting plants like bright green coniferous trees that were scattered around, an abundant amount of flowers with very beautiful colored petals, and even cacti. I was also able to see flowing rivers and even a waterfall filled with very clear and beautiful flowing water. A couple of the native people, who had farms, animals like cattle, and simple style homes, were also living off the mountain, just like the Mayans, their ancestors, had for generations. As I reached the peak, I was able to see the contrast of the lively city of Santiago to the west and the Andes Mountains filled with nature and sparse settlements to the east.

An Andes Mountains hiking trail

I soon found the nearest motel and ended my 1st day with a quick dinner of fish, corn, and rice before going to bed.