besitos a santiago

I got to know the city of Santiago pretty well during our three and a half weeks of training there.  The schedule allowed for a good amount of free time, and we took full advantage to explore different barrios.  Each neighborhood is distinct from the next and has its own energy that all together, besides the pollution, made Santiago a great place to spend the first weeks in Chile.

The Centro with its pedestrian commercial streets; Providencia, Las Condes, and Vitacura's swanky vistas; Barrio Brasil's indie rawness; Bellavista's artsy vibe and crawling vida nocturna; Cerro San Cristobal and Cerro Santa Lucia's peaceful escape skywards; Quinta Normal's feel of grittier Latin America; Parque Forestal's soft grass; even the race of crossing La Alameda before the pedestrian light turns red again.

Cartwheels in Providencia

Changing of the Guard at La Moneda

Sunset from the top of Cerro San Cristobal

A big group of volunteers left tonight for overnight buses to the far north and near south regions.  The rest of us leave for the near north and the far south early tomorrow morning.  There was a lot of hugging and contact exchanging, and I had a pretty heavy heart myself because we as a group had gotten remarkably close in just one week of time.  That, mixed with the feeling of the unknown in the coming days, made saying "See ya later" just a little more difficult for everyone.

There is a saying here that goes Santiago no es Chile.  Santiago may not be the real Chile but it is a great city itself.  I think I speak for everyone when I say it was muy divertido and I look forward to visiting again, especially for the reunion seven months from now.

Besitos Santiago!