Santiago

I was on a mission once I hit the ground in Santiago.  On my trip to Easter Island a baggage handler with sticky fingers took my exterior back up for my MacAir from my luggage.  I was not a happy camper and the first thing I needed to do once I arrived in Santiago was find an Apple store and get a replacement since I was carrying 7000+ photos on my Mac and I needed that backup.  

So off I went as soon as I checked into my hotel....off to the Apple store.  I found one, not at the first shopping plaza but a second where the Apple store called ahead and made sure they had the backup.  It is not as portable as the one I had....but it will do till I get back to the States.

So....my first photo to share with you is a Christmas tree in the mall in Santiago.  This tree is decorated with thousands....thousands of Swarovski crystal ornaments.....it was so beautiful....

I am still reeling from the backup issue....but pushed on....this is a view of the deserted streets of Santiago early in the day.  Santiago was founded in the 1600's and gained its independence from Spain in 1810.  About 7 million people live in Santiago.

Santiago is divided into some 22 districts (suburbs) and each has its own mayor.  This is a view of the Art Museum...and a sculpture on the front lawn....a bull market?

Santa Lucia Hill......

Statue at top of Hill near the Fort.....seems to the the chief who is in the midst of discovery and claiming the land as his!!

I am told that it was a custom until just a few years ago to fire this cannon at Noon each day.  That practice has since been stopped....why?  Reason was not given....maybe the noise was too distracting from the bells at the church!!

The hill did provide a nice view of the city....

The main square in Santiago.....this building...is now the central post office....

City Hall....

...the Opera house

Metropolitan Cathedral......

One of the two Popes who have visited here....

...sorry...bath time for Pope #2....

I know you remember the Chilean copper miners who were trapped...and gained so much fame when they were released.  This is a mime who is depicting the main industry of Chile - Copper.  Timber is in second place. 

 It is interesting as well that 5% of the population in Chile is Illiterate.....this seems to transcend to the education system which offers no public universities.  This situation is the root cause of a number of protests currently being seen in Chile.

The Government Palace.  While the President does not reside here...this is the official residence, and offices of the Presidency are maintained at this location.

No changing of the guard....but very impressive crisp white uniforms....nice touch!!

Always a busy day in the main square and shopping is a never ending pleasure!!!

The so-called aeronautical park....well the statutes seem to be flying!!

Well...there is always an exception.....this was before the airplane....

Now these guys are flying....

Interesting effect here....no the wires are not going to this building...they got in my way of trying to photograph this piece of architecture.....

These beautiful flowers are everywhere at this time of year...they are called Jacarada.....

Okay....that is Santiago for a day....I am off to Brazil next....

The photo of the day....aaah yes...I remember my days at the Comptroller of the Currency office when we had those fire drills....and the entire building was spread out on the street...well...no different in Santiago...here we have a building of people on a fire drill at lunch time...ummmm...