Hello, everybody

Today is tuesday and we are only two days away from our return journey to UK. We had spent nearly 2 weeks in Santiago from where we went to the coast last weekend. The time had gone more quickly than expected but we had enjoyed very much the time in the capital of the country. Santiago is a very modern city which is growing at a very accelerated pace, the population is over six millions which means everything is changing very quickly. New roads, new buses, new houses and buildings. The road system is very good with many bypasses, .bridges,tunnels etc.Therefore, since a few months ago it is possible to drive across the city in around 20 minutes using the new"Costanera" Before one hour and half was the norm. But, anyway the distances between an area and the next(not always t is possible to use the"costanera to travel from place to place) make it difficult to visit family or friends when they live far from you.

Yesterday, we met some friends for lunch and afterwards George wants to come back by the Metro(underground), but it was not possible because the line did not come so far away,but anyway we went to have a look and because it was the rush hour, we coud see a multitude of people travelling up and down just like in London, the difference is that is cheaper in Santiago, you can go anywhere for the same value, therefore you could go up and down the Metro and you pay the same as you do if you go just one stop.

There are many shopping centre, and Malls and very good restaurants and plenty coffee places. We had a very good lunch in the Market not the more elegant place to eat but probably the best one for fish and seafood. Few days ago we were invited to a Peruvian Restaurant a very posh one, we ate many good dishes we never ate before.

The big problem of the city is the smog that you can see quite clearly when you come down from the higher part of the city. It is stronger in the winter than in summer and some days worse that others. But, "santiaguinos" love their city and they are not going to leave because of the smog.

I downloaded photos today, hope you like them, tomorrow I will do more with the one taken on the coast.

Iris