Santiago De Chile
I love sleeping in, which is why I chose to do so, there was no time restraint on me this day. So I woke up, did my breakfast thing, slowly repacked my bag and went about my stuff, hoisted my rucksack onto my shoulders, and went out looking for buses to Santiago De Chile.I had to walk through a big part of ValparaÃso on my way to the terminal, and the city hadn't changed at all, still ugly, still uninviting and still very smelly.
I did find a bus though, they leave every 15 minutes and I found one that left 30 seconds later. The ride was short (1,5 hours) and comfortable. I arrived safely in Santiago, grabbed a metro train to get closer to my hostel (La Chimba).
Once at my hostel, I booked a airport bus shuttle to take me to the airport on Sunday, and went out for a long walk in Santiago, and what a difference it is. Unlike ValparaÃso, I absolutely love Santiago. You get all the old grand buildings, but they are clean and fit very well into the city. It all just seems so nice, and even though Santiago is loud and in a hurry, it is at the same time very tranquil, sort of like driving down a city road at 200 km/h and noticing a nice tree in the side of the road, exhilarating yet pretty.
In Santiago I also went into the cathedral, which really is something. Within the cathedral, there are two smaller churches and a wealth of alters, shrines and tombs.
After the cathedral I went and saw the court, the main drag and the city hall.
Later that same day I also arranged to meet with Mike (of El Chalten fame; http://twaize.net/2008/02/27/20th-of-february-26th-of-february/ 20th to the 24th) again the following day (Saturday) and then settled back at my hostel for a good dinner, and some relaxation.
This was also the day were I finished London Fields by Martin Amis, one of the worst books I have ever read, but if I begin reading a book, I have to finish it, or I will forever wonder what was going to happen.