Santiago. Again.

After a 7 hour bus trip, I finally got to Santiago and took the metro to Bella's Artes but had to stuff myself and mi mochilla into one of the packed metros as it was rush hour. Nobody looked at me with great fondness as I threw myself into the car, squeezing people into the tiniest recesses in order to get my backpack inside so the train would go.  BUT, Gabriella met me with Chilean champagne, and we drank out of tumblers

To celebrate the end of her overseeing students on an academic stay in Santiago and surrounding areas.  This morning I arose early to walk the city, but it stays dark until after 8:00, so I walked around in the dark for a good while, and after breakfast in the basement of our lovely hostel Andes (eggs!!), I walked up Santa Lucia and took photos of the city from up there.

I haven't got my Lonely Planet with me so I cannot give all the history, but there is a castle, a fort and loads of glorious gardens at every turn, plus some pretty hairy steps up and down.

 At1:00 we take off again on the bus for Santa Cruz in the south where we will tour some of the wine country on which I plan to become an expert by the time I return.  Plus, I will include the history, at least the background of Santa Lucia.  Promise.