santiago del estudillo: 3428576 miles away and still broke, here's how i survived

the dirt on this city isn't in the guidebooks, but if you've ever backpacked on a dime, you know survival here is all about timing and dignity. checked the weather today: 26.63 degrees, feels like a sauna without the free towel. humidity? just enough to make your tshirt smell like a subway seat. pressure? whatever, i'm not flying in a plane, so why should i care?
as a freelance photographer on a 10-day budget, i learned fast: haggle at the mercado, beg for free coffee at café por el día on instagram, and never trust a taxi driver who says "this way". pro-tips:

- food: el quimí quique for $2 empanadas, but only take cash. friend said "if you don't haggle, they'll add a 300% markup for being non-spanish."
- sleep: hostal10 nightly rate dropped 3 bucks because 'the owner's niece wanted to practice english.' don't ask.
- explore: take this bus to plazuela pedro salinas. if you die of boredom, the alps are an Uber away. seriously.
i heard the street art by muralista jacaru is 98% duds, so i kept my eyes on the mercado's knackers. other visitors? all overpaying for avocados. ignore them.

for real updates, check out the Yelp market guides - dust off the cobblestones at La Puerta del Sol where the ghosts of student revolts arguere whether murals or murals deserve more respect. humidity stank? This humidifier won't fix it. sleep tight.

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