Santiago, Chile: My Brain Feels Like a Pisco Sour
okay, so. santiago. wow. i’m still kind of buzzing, honestly. it’s been…a lot. i’m a touring session drummer, you see, and this gig landed me here for a few weeks. which is amazing, don’t get me wrong, but my brain is currently operating on approximately three hours of sleep and a steady diet of empanadas.
I just checked and it’s…a sort of hazy sunshine right now, with a breeze that smells faintly of dust and something vaguely floral. hope you like that kind of thing. it’s consistently warm, which is a huge win for someone who’s used to perpetually damp england.
Honestly, the vibe here is…intense. like, a beautiful, chaotic intensity. the traffic is something else - a constant, honking ballet of buses and taxis. i spent a good hour just watching it from a cafe, completely mesmerized. i found a decent spot on Yelp - check it out: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-cervezas-artesanales-santiago. seriously, the coffee is strong enough to wake the dead.
Speaking of which, someone told me that the metro system is surprisingly efficient, but to always keep an eye on your bag. apparently, pickpockets are a thing. drunk advice, maybe? i don’t know. i’m running on fumes.
I’ve been staying in *Bellavista, which is…loud. in the best possible way. Music spills out of bars until 3am, street vendors hawk everything from empanadas to knock-off watches, and there’s a general feeling of…energy. if you get bored, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are just a short drive away - totally worth a day trip, apparently.
“Don’t trust anyone who offers you ‘authentic’ Chilean souvenirs near Plaza de Armas. They’re probably just trying to sell you a plastic llama.”
I’ve been trying to find some decent vintage shops. i’m a sucker for a good find, you know? i stumbled across a forum on a local board - https://www.foro.cl/ - and apparently, there’s a hidden gem in Providencia. i’m going to check it out tomorrow. fingers crossed.
Here’s a quick rundown of my essentials for surviving this trip:
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for sleeping on the bus)
A reusable water bottle (stay hydrated, people!)
Spanish phrasebook (my spanish is…questionable)
Small backpack (for carrying essentials and dodging pickpockets, just in case)
A good playlist (for those long bus rides)
A sense of humor (you’ll need it)
I overheard some gossip at a bar last night - apparently, the Cerro San Cristóbal has the best views of the city, but it gets packed on weekends. i’m thinking of going early one morning to beat the crowds. TripAdvisor says it’s worth it: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297401-d192438-Reviews-Cerro_San_Cristobal-Santiago_Region_of_Valparaiso.html
“The pigeons in Plaza Baquedano are surprisingly aggressive. Don’t make eye contact.”
I’m also trying to find some cool street art. i’ve heard there’s a lot of it hidden in the backstreets of Lastarria*. i’ll let you know what i find.
Okay, i think i need a nap. and maybe another empanada.
Check out some more travel tips here: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/chile/santiago
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