My time was up in Valle Nevado, Chile and I jumped into the truck for the long winding ride down into the capitol.  Santiago is home to most of the population in Chile and has the highest concentration of people living in one area.  Chile has about 16 million people in total with more then 8 million of them living in the Santiago area.  Yes..... the place is crowded.  It's also where you'll find amazing architecture, culture and old world art around every corner.   I had some time in between my next riding dates so let's call this a mini tour of the big city, Santiago de CHILE along with some other oddities and things Chilean.

View of the Andes surrounding the city over the Maipo River which runs right through the downtown.  Santiago has a smog problem but has been getting better over the years due to new laws with cars and trucks.  SANTIAGO, CHILE

Contrast in new world and old world.... 16th Century churches next to 20th century sky scrapers. SANTIAGO, CHILE.

No shortage of statues in Santiago, Chile.

Cobble stone streets in the Paris/Londres area of Santiago, Chile. Take care in this area at night time....

Clock tower of the San Francisco church.  One of Santiago's oldest churches. Santiago, CHILE

Lots of street dogs in Santiago, CHILE.  They are usually pretty timid...

Street vendor Kiosk... You'll find three or more of these on every block in the downtown area.  Selling all sorts of food, magazines etc.... Santiago, CHILE

This is a Chilean sandwich called a CHURRASCO.  Beef, Tomato, Avacado and mayonaise.  Classic Chilean food.... Santiago, CHILE

USA President BILL CLINTON had ONE Coca Cola here once.... and the place is famous for it... Marketing Chilean style, Santiago, CHILE

Museum of Fine Arts, downtown, Santiago, CHILE

The BELLAVISTA area of Santiago.  Lots of art, restaurants and bohemian culture in this part of town.  Santiago, CHILE

Local highschool kids hanging out near the house of famous Chilean poet PABLO NERUDA's house in the Bellavista area of SANTIAGO, CHILE

Just like newspaper stands and kiosk's you'll see that every other bench in Santiago has people making out on them.  Santiago, CHILE

Some streets in the downtown area are off limits to traffic so it's nice to walk around without the worry of downtown cars and buses. Santiago, CHILE

This dish is called CAZUELA.  Consisting of broth, meat or chicken and vegetables. Typical Chilean dinner or lunch. Santiago, CHILE

Santiago is filled with amazing nightlife and restaurants. Santiago, CHILE

All kinds of little random shops that sell almost anything you can imagine.  I walked in and didn't even know what was being sold exactly in this place. Santiago, CHILE

Cerro Santa Lucia in the downtown area.  It's the original fort built by the founders of Santiago.  An really nice tower at the top gives a great view of the city and mountains.  No charge... free open park.  Day time use only.  Don't visit this place at night.  Santiago, CHILE

 Downtown Dog in Santiago, Chile

Night falls on the city and streets come alive with people. Santiago, CHILE

At this point in the trip I've been to quite a few spots in CHILE.  The weather is looking harsh with rain forecasted for the next week.  All reports coming in from friends from the south and even Argentina are saying rain and lots of it... and with the season getting closer to the end I'll need to make the right decision about where I ride next.  Sitting in the rain doesn't sound too appealing for remainder of the season.  Time will tell.  All I know is that I need to get out of the city and back to the mountains and snow.

INFO:

Flights to CHILE: www.lan.com 

info: www.chasingwintermedia.com