http://www.answers.com/May%20Day
http://riotporn.blogspot.com/2007/05/may-day-2007-international-workers-riot.html
We followed the walking tour in the Loney Planet guidebook today and the first impressive spot was Santa Lucia Hill. A fantastic park that spans quite a few square blocks and climbs upward with views across the city.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerro_Santa_Luc%C3%ADa
(Anybody recognize these two people??)
We walked around the rest of the city and saw impressive government buildings and historic monuments. The city was surprisingly clean and pleasant. As a group we aren't sure if it was the perfect 75 degree sunny day or the lack of crowds due to the holiday, but we were all pleasantly surprised by our day in Santiago.
(Ilana & Archana is front of the old Congress building)
(Ilana, Archana & Richard are the three little people)
In the evening we were invited to the house of the cousin of a person who used to work with Archana and Ilana (Anita), who happens to live in Santiago. Not knowing any of us they picked us up at our hotel and drove us to their nice apartment with views over the city. The family was extremely hospitable and wined and dined us for the evening. We had great conversations about the differences and similarities in our cultures, languages, and countries (some of the conversation in English, some in Spanish). At the risk of sounding corny, it was really nice to meet people so far away and get to know them at such a personal level. Thank you so much to the Costa family and their friends for a wonderful evening.
FJ
thank you ilana and frank for our trip to chile...we cannot wait to get to easter island. i think it is wonderful to meet people from other cultures. in conjunction with the scenery, finding out how the natives live, eat, believe is fascinating...just as the history is fascinating. stay safe, have fun...and we love you..mom & jerry - jerry doesnt write much, but he is there with you guys each step of the way too.
ReplyDeletejust catching up on the week's blogs. hope your knees are all better ilana! the scenery is amazing - i especially loved the salt flats. hope easter island is awesome. can't wait to hear about it!
ReplyDeletethis has nothing to do with your trip, but I had to tell you that frank of 'dirty frank' died and, get this, he lived in Staten Island?!?! Good thing I know you are alive and well otherwise I would have thought you were holding out on me about your years as a pj tour bus driver!
ReplyDeleteBack to your regularly scheduled programming...the trip is amazing! It's got me planning my own practically!
:)
I am finally caught up, I haven't been able to find the time to get on here.
ReplyDeleteThis trip is absolutely amazing, and again I will say that I am so glad you are sharing it with all of us. I feel like I'm right there with you!!! Unfortunately, Lana dear, it is making me miss you so much more and I absolutely cannot wait to see you later this year! xoxox Tina
frank....i hate you.
ReplyDeleteI guess I didn't expect Santiago to look so US like...but still beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly trying to catch up to you two...spare time is limited around here, but I will travel the world with you...I just may finish a month after your back in NYC and you may still receive comments from me for weeks to come.
ReplyDeleteQuick observation - it's a good thing Frank has long arms. I'm amazed he's able to get group phots and still look like he's 5 feet from the camera.
You probably never anticipated the topic of Frank's underwear would be so widely discussed on your travel blog. Being somewhat of a numbers person myself, I immediately did the calculations when Ilana mentioned on day 18 that you had done laundry twice (assuming one would only wear underwear for 1 day, 5x2 = 10 days...either you're wearing 'em for more than 1 day or you are really enjoying the fresh air)...ever think of purchasing a few more while traveling? Just a suggestion...for Ilana's sake.