I'm OK now. Touring Santiago and the banquet were fun and reminded me that not every part of the experience is about the moment of actual performance...
So off touristing! Gordon, who was the top seed by the tournament formula and a little disappointed by his early fall, offered to guide us through Santiago's downtown park. Driving in, we saw a walk signal where the little green walk man started to run as the signal was getting ready to change. Certainly passed the information to the pedestrians.
Walking from his hotel, the NH (nice but conventional), we found a restaurant row. I never time meals right in Chile. Every restaurant is open but empty. We passed up several and made a random choice. We got to sit outdoors on the street which was very pleasant. Chorrillana is meats on french fries with a fried egg on top. Interesting but needed beer to cut the grease. The Chilean Kuntsman dark beer was just right.
The restaurant was at the base of the park's big hill. We strolled over to check things out. The funicular had a line that would make Disney cringe. So we hiked up. I'm just getting over a cold and Lisa's in the middle of it so it was a brutal climb. Gordon was very patient with us. About halfway up, I regretted the beer and wished I'd had water. Lots of water, pant, pant. The dog (a pet on a leash not a feral one) happily got a soaking in the drinking fountain 3/4 of the way up. Good idea! I stuck my head under for a cool off - but I was still too paranoid to drink it. Survived to the top where there was a spot selling Gatorade. Saved! Gordon was very adventurous and got a mote con huesillo. Weird drink with a dried peach, barley and corn in juice (apple?). It would need lots of added rum for me to try it.
We had spectacular views of Santiago in all directions. No smog today. Santiago is a huge city. I touched the statue at the top which is supposed to bring good luck. Two years from now?! The security guards shooed us away (worried I'd take all the luck?). We didn't stay for the service in the outdoor cathedral there. We rode the gondola down (where were the ski racks?).
This put us on the other side of the mountain from Gordon's hotel. The subway was 20 minutes walk vs the 25 minutes to the hotel. Off to the subway! Clean, affordable, quick, efficient and reasonably busy. Public transportation in foreign countries rocks! We got off after one stop.
Fun city adventure.
Eric
So off touristing! Gordon, who was the top seed by the tournament formula and a little disappointed by his early fall, offered to guide us through Santiago's downtown park. Driving in, we saw a walk signal where the little green walk man started to run as the signal was getting ready to change. Certainly passed the information to the pedestrians.
Walking from his hotel, the NH (nice but conventional), we found a restaurant row. I never time meals right in Chile. Every restaurant is open but empty. We passed up several and made a random choice. We got to sit outdoors on the street which was very pleasant. Chorrillana is meats on french fries with a fried egg on top. Interesting but needed beer to cut the grease. The Chilean Kuntsman dark beer was just right.
The restaurant was at the base of the park's big hill. We strolled over to check things out. The funicular had a line that would make Disney cringe. So we hiked up. I'm just getting over a cold and Lisa's in the middle of it so it was a brutal climb. Gordon was very patient with us. About halfway up, I regretted the beer and wished I'd had water. Lots of water, pant, pant. The dog (a pet on a leash not a feral one) happily got a soaking in the drinking fountain 3/4 of the way up. Good idea! I stuck my head under for a cool off - but I was still too paranoid to drink it. Survived to the top where there was a spot selling Gatorade. Saved! Gordon was very adventurous and got a mote con huesillo. Weird drink with a dried peach, barley and corn in juice (apple?). It would need lots of added rum for me to try it.
We had spectacular views of Santiago in all directions. No smog today. Santiago is a huge city. I touched the statue at the top which is supposed to bring good luck. Two years from now?! The security guards shooed us away (worried I'd take all the luck?). We didn't stay for the service in the outdoor cathedral there. We rode the gondola down (where were the ski racks?).
This put us on the other side of the mountain from Gordon's hotel. The subway was 20 minutes walk vs the 25 minutes to the hotel. Off to the subway! Clean, affordable, quick, efficient and reasonably busy. Public transportation in foreign countries rocks! We got off after one stop.
Fun city adventure.
Eric