Wednesday, January 16th

Santiago, Chile

Stayed at Air BnB with Dad, Josh, and Jason!

Dear Obiwan,

Today was our last guided tour. We went to Valparaiso and Viña Del Mar, the beautiful coast near Santiago.

Our began with chef Jason making us some scrambled eggs and we finished off some of the 30 bagels my Dad bought.

On our way to meet our tour guide…there was CRAZINESS outside of our building- one of the window washer machines up 20 stories high on the building next door HAD COLLAPSED! There were two men on the metal window washer thing HOLDING onto it for dear life! We watched as someone setup a harness…for each guy to take individually DOWN THE BUILDING. It was crazy!

We had to leave this crazy site to meet up with Fran and Pablo (Sebastian was doing another tour :(, but Pablo was awesome too!). Then we were off on the 2 hour drive to the coast!

We first arrived at the port of Valapariso, or Valpo for short.

After this we went to the hills, and to get there you have to take these old school trolly car like things!

Fran gave an incredible guided tour of Valpo. This city is full of gorgeous graffiti and murals. We also saw people creating new graffiti while we were walking! The city also has many street musicians that were all incredibly talented.

Here come a lot of photos Obiwan, get ready:

Look, a slide to get down!

Some local art sold in stores

Yay! Go birth control!

People leave dog food out for the strays! But…here is a pigeon getting in on it

Menorah!

These guys were phenomenal!

Reduce, reuse, recycle!

We had another traditional lunch, but this time I got the Peruvian meal, which was chicken, online, rice, and fries, it was pretty good. Then we had fresh watermelon for dessert.

After this we headed 15 minutes up the coast to Viña del Mar, a beautiful beach you could swim in!

Me and Fran!

Side note- I noticed I lost my moon ring today, I only bought a few rings on this trip and this one was my favorite ring, alas, it is okay, maybe I will find another ring like it?

Anywho, we arrived to Viña Del Mar and it was STUNNING. It’s as a big beautiful beach with big waves and with a large pier. While walking on the pier…THER WAS A BASSOON PLAYER OBI. A STREET BASOON PLAYER!?!?!?!?

WHAT THE HECK!?!

I turned around and stared at my Dad who had also just noticed and we both were agog. I ran over and we listened and then I told him how I used to play the basoon and we shared about my Grandparents who loved the bassoon.

This man was from Venezuela and was 2nd bassoon in their symphony. He told us that he could have moved to Santiago but chose here and already has spoken to their government and hopes to create a symphony! I got his information and hope to keep in contact and will try to return one day once he had crated the first symphony of Viña Del Mar!

Also, here is his info if anyone else wants to look him up!:

After this we drove back to Santiago and on the way back Fran gave us some advice of what we could do for our last two days in Santiago.

Then we had our last meal with Josh and Jason before they head off to Patagonia tommorrow. We went to Aqua Esta Coco for dinner, another place Jason discovered, I got the same meal I had yesterday, steak covered in rouquefort sauce, and holy crap Obi, I think this is my new favorite meal of the universe. I want it every day! Then Josh and I shared a scrumptious chocolate cake.

Oh also, look at the women and men’s bathroom decorations:

Women’s room:

Aaaand men’s room:

Mmm, what a wonderful day Obiwan!

Love you and miss you tons,

Tú Madre,

Carly