Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it Santiago, which of course in German means a whale’s vagina.

Santiaaago, the lost city. Everyone thinks it’s Eldorado but they’re wrong. How do I know I presume you’re asking? It’s just one of those facts that someone tells you at some point in your life that you remember.

Took four hours to get through the Argentinian / Chilean border and it’s only after waiting for three of those four hours to be processed do they put on a movie on the bus telle. Unbelievable. On the up side, at least I was exempt the US$90 entry fee into Chile because I entered by land.

I arrived to the bus terminal located in a ghetto with my expectation of Santiago to be scarily accurate. However, a taxi to the suburb Bella Artes, the destination of my hostel, completely flipped the script. Not that much was happening but the surrounding street art and trendy feel of the place was nothing like I was expecting. The temperature certainly wasn’t as ‘chile’ as I thought it might have been.

Santiago serving more as a waiting room for the South American Struggler, I tried to make the most of my time by reading all the magazines. I visited all the usual modern museums and contemporary buildings as well as something a little more offbeat such as the La Vega fruit and fish markets and the cemetery. The cemetery was what I was least looking forward to going to but turned out to be the most interesting. Due to the lack of space, to send the departed peacefully, instead of a burial, they build giant walls that house the coffins. Those who struggle financially generally have several bodies in the same coffin whereas somebody with money or power will have their own little property with a marble little house that protects the coffin. It was quite unreal.

An hour and a half early morning bus trip to the nearby port town, Valparasio, saw the South American Struggler wondering around a very quirky and unique place. The street art and general layout of the town on the hillside made it a well worth visit. I had originally tossed up about whether I should stay or even visit Valparasio because I just couldn’t see how a port town could be of any interest. I’m glad I didn’t stay the night but would have certainly regretted if I hadn’t done a day trip. Also had a geez of Vina Del Mar, ten minutes away, as that was recommended to me. Pretty poor recommendation.

After way too much gelato and more than my fair share of local tucker, it was time for the South American Struggler to hang up his boots and head home – after he scrubbed them to death to get any mud or dirt off them so quarantine in Australian would get their panties in a twist.

Although Santiago isn’t the most amazing place, I think everyone’s negativity towards it made me enjoy it. Definitely a decent place to stop off for a few days and see Valparasio if you don’t have time to stay there.