Santiago 2 day 4

 Just doing my regular routine, checking emails, playing a few games and checking social media, doing a few updates on the blog and having a cup of tea.

Breakfast is set out, but the noted breakfast hours are from 9 to 10:30. Still 15 minutes early.

The offerings are the same every day. A bread roll, cheese and ham sliced way thinner than I have even seen them,or ever should be, sliced and cantalope. Tea and instant coffee are also available.

It doesn't matter to much how many people are staying here. The number of bread rolls change, but not so for the cheese, ham and cantalope.

Being here, a bit further from the equator, there doesn't seem to be as big a selection of fruits and vegetables that are available in Oaxaca.

I headed out late this morning and took the subway towards the Bellevista neighborhood. One of the things also at the station is the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago. A large park that includes adventure activities, the Santiago Zoo and a funicular (tram) up the hill (actually a small mountain) where there is a huge statue of the virgin Mary and a church on the top.

I arrived a little early, so I had a coffee and a piece of pound cake at a sidewalk cafe. Even then I was early. The funicular doesn't start operating until 1 pm. Promptly at 1 the gates opened and they started selling ticketes. By then a line had formed so I had to wait awhile in line before getting my ticket to ride.

Once on top, there is an awesome view of Santiago. From here I can see that I have only explored a small part of the city. 

There is a huge statue of the virgin Mary and a stone church also. I think one of the former Popes visited the hill some years ago. The ideo of building this statue dates back to 1854. Final installation in the 1920's. The church was built in the 1930's

When I was done with my visit to the hill. I again took the funicular down. 

I called these veniculars. This was a mistake. They are actually funiculars. The had another name they called them in Valparaiso, but the true term is funicular.

I returned to the bottom of the hill via funicular.

I had heard chatter about the Bellevista neighborhood, which is were this hill is. I strolled a few streets to get an idea of what it was. What it is, is a party neighbood, bar after bar after bar. I expect the evenings, especially on th weekend get pretty crazy. I'm so happy I never decided to look for accomodations here.