comida buena

Travel Guide

Part 2

I consider myself to be a semi-foodie as I like to cook and know what I like to eat. Good food is hard to come by and although I have been called "bougie" I think that it's better to take your time to find something really tasty then settle for something that is just okay. Chile is not known for its food (though wine is nothing short of amazing!) and it took a bit of work to find the scrumptious gems in Santiago. Interestingly many Chileans have told me that in the Pinochet Era curfew was enforced and thus not many restaurants or bars were open to the public. Most restaurants are relatively recent and therefore it is still an emerging business here.

The first restaurant I ate at in Chile and one of my tried and true favorites is Emporio la Rosa. This cafe has been open since 2000 and is known for their homemade ice cream. Located across from Parque Forrestal this cafe has a combination of indoor and outdoor patio seating. They have delicious salads and sandwiches as well as cafe and tea. Smoked salmon with avocado salad is perfect on a hot day! The ice cream really is amazing..including their most famous rose flavor! Prices are moderate and its a really nice place for quality food.

Emporio La Rosa

Merced 291 (Metro Bellas Artes/Baquedano)
Open 8am-10pm every day

Next, if you are looking for a very cheap meal (a position in which I most often find myself) head to Mercado Central. Located in Centro--this fish market is the place to get fresh fish at bargain prices. If you continue to walk into the center (past the fish stalls) there are several restaurants of pretty good quality. The middle is very touristy and therefore pricey but the side alley way restaurants are less expensive. Paying more for the middle restaurants seems to pay off as its more risky for your health to try the side stalls. I have tried the side stalls and they aren't bad. I've heard the best center restaurant is Don Augusto. Regardless, you are sure to get some fresh seafood!

Mercado Central

Enter on Ismael Valdés Vergara between 21 de Mayo and Puente (Metro: Punto Cal y Canto)

Open everyday except Sunday 10am-9pm

Another ice cream must is Sebastian. Located in Providencia this cafe has tasty treats as well--similar to Emporio's tastes..salads and sandwiches. In bustling and trendy Providencia this cafe is a great place for the late Chilean lunch. Plus the ice cream is to die for! With flavors like Swiss Chocolate and nutella. It's most definitely a must try spot! Cortney and I had quite the addiction going on for a while. They also have bana de chocolate which is a hard chocolate shell covering option. Que rico!!

Sebastian

Andres de Fuenzalida 26 (Metro: Los Leones)

Open everyday except Sundays 11am-11pm

Another one of our favorites is Sushi! Sushi is pretty popular here in Santiago because it is the new "in" fashion food. Our dear friend Sandra took us to this sushi place called Miyako located in Centro that quickly became our favorite. After 5pm its a 50% discount and the sushi is always fresh and tasty! The discounted price makes this sushi place a great bargain as well!

Miyako

Moneda, 856 (Metro Santa Lucia)

In reviewing my food selections I noticed that most of my favorite places focus mostly on seafood, salads, and ice cream..whoops! Oh well! I will expand my horizons and get back with some more variety for you..This is not all I eat I swear! But bear in mind I cook more frequently than I eat out because its cheapest and fun. :)

Next up on the guide: Bars and Clubs

Besos a todas!

ps. I have been receiving notice that is difficult to comment (Mom and DAD!) so I tried fixing a few things to make it easier. Click POST A COMMENT. C'mon you can do it!

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Santiago Guide

Travel Guide: Santiago

Part 1

Before Mary Jo arrived Cortney and I complied a list of must-see/must-dos in Santiago (all with a small budget in mind). We came up with a pretty comprehensive list including food, museums, bars/clubs, monuments, and interesting side trips.

First, there's the historic sites/buildings..

Plaza De Armas--When the Spanish came to conquer South America, Chile was one of the last countries to succeed. Although many Spanish explorers came before Pedro de Valdvilla, he was the first successful conquistador. In every South American city there is a Plaza de Armas because the Spanish believed it to be essential to an industrious city. The Plaza de Armas in Santiago is from the 1540's when Pedro de Valdivia first arrived. The plaza was remodeled and is lined by the Palacio de la Real Audiencia (1804) which houses the Museo Histórico, the Municipalidad de Santiago (1785) and the Correo Central (postoffice) (1882), and the Catedral Metropolitana (1745). It is a nice plaza to eat ice cream and people watch. In addition, there are always artists selling paintings in the square and old men playing chess.

Plaza de Armas at night

Parque Metropolitano/Cerro San Cristobal

This park has a variety of outdoor activities and spectacular views. There are two pools, a zoo, a funicular which goes to the highest point in the city where the statue of the Virgen is mounted. I took Mary Jo on a run here and we also rode the funicular to the top. It is a nice little refuge from the busy streets of Santiago where the air is cleaner!

Mary Jo and Lady Santiago

Cerro Santa Lucia

Pedro de Valdivia made his first government building at the then center of the city--called Cerro Santa Lucía in 1541. It is a beautiful castle with gardens that has a really awesome view of the city. I think the view is better than Cerro San Cristobal because it is not above the smog. On Wednesdays there is a party in the castle called "After Office" where everyone dresses up and dances. It is really fun and we got to take Mary Jo to Santa Lucia both during the day and for After Office. There is also a Ferria Santa Lucia at the base with really cool artisanal crafts that is definitely worth checking out!

view from the top


us girls before After Office

Next up: Best Food Spots

Besos a todas!

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hace calor

It is really hot here in Santiago..like really. 90s. As a result we have taken to eating ice cream/frozen yogurt whenever possible.

There's nothing like that sweet fruity or chocolatey goodness when you are dripping in sweat!
happy summer/holiday season.

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vino tinto

a picture post...

view from las condes the "modern" neighbs of Santiago that we were lucky enough to experience from the apartment of a lovely Chilean family


shrimp, pico de gallo, and guacamole mmmm.


wine wine wine..cheaper than water basically.


halloweenie!

sandra y yo


peacock and flapper (does not exist here apparently)

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exploradora

Our first week in Chile...it flew by! Today I went for my first run in Chile. I love running around a city to explore it because it gives you a chance to see, smell, and observe the culture in a fun and beautiful way. After an intensive week of school (I can't believe so many people get up at 6am and come home at 6pm! I was completely exhausted by Friday. We plan our lessons and have homework at night so the days are very long but its a really good experience!)..we had the weekend to explore a bit and get to experience things other than school.

When you are a foreigner in another country--such as myself--often one makes observations and generalizations of the culture--the outside perspective is sometimes more insightful but can also lead to stereotyping.. but es la vida! So here are some things I have noticed so far:

1. Chilean toilets cannot handle toilet paper. When you go to the bathroom you have to throw the toilet paper in a trashcan. When at a bar you have to tip the attendant to get toilet paper..this is definitely more useful to know BEFORE you go into the stall to pee, as Cortney and I discovered last night when we were at a bar in Bellavista. Oops!

2. Palta which is Avocado in Chilean Spanish is put in everything here!! Its a different kind of avocado and very delicious!! mmm. I love it! My favorite salad accessory of the moment:


3. Dogs rule in Chile. Most dogs here are not domesticated. They run around freely in packs--more wolflike than in the US. Ging would have serious problems I think! They are very sweet to humans and will follow you around..(like during my run this morning) and they are everywhere! Ive only seen one weenie so far..I spotted a pup enjoying the sun at the top of a park we visited on Saturday..The park Cerro San Cristobal (they love Christopher Colombus here..go figure?) has the famous sculpture of Mary of Santiago and it is really peaceful and spiritual at the top. We took a the funicular up (scary!) but it was beautiful!


Doggie Chillin in the sanctuary


view from the top


Mary

4. Chilean culture is pretty! They are super modest people who work really hard. But they also really know how to get down and enjoy themselves. Going out doesn't start till midnight but they really take pleasure in the weekends..A seemingly random parade went down the street outside our apartment today..their costumes were so pretty!



Besides that heres a few people who are making our intro into Chilean culture welcoming, fun, crazy and hilarious!


Nel, Fabian, Maury, Cortney y Yo at Sushi (muy popular here!!)



Nel and the abuelitas drinking tea! hahah. We were so tired!

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