In this post I wanted share the brightest moments from my recent trip to Santiago, Chile. The pictures you see are a mix between the ones I took on my camera and my iPhone. This was my first time in South America, and I enjoyed this trip a lot! Take a peek at the city, its culture and gastronomy through the lens of my camera.
Santiago is definitely a city of contrasts. You can walk through areas that feel pretty sterile and look uneventful, but like many of the world’s great urban centers you will stumble on areas filled with so much inspiration and true local essence and culture. I spent time in some interesting local neighborhoods like Barrio Italia, Lastarria and Bellavista along with visits to Valparaiso and vineyards in Casablanca. The local neighborhoods are filled with cute little coffee and pastry shops, gelaterias, restaurants, book shops, artisanal handmade OOAK stores and galleries. You can definitely burn a day just roaming around and shopping for gifts and souvenirs.
Valparaiso stole my heart with its endless, mind-blowing graffiti, cute little streets that look like they’ve been taken from a cartoon, amazing vistas from its many hills (or cerri) and some of the most adorable stray cats and dogs that inhabit the place and greet strangers with the sweetest attention and curiosity.
Cuisine wise, I think there is a big overlap with the neighboring countries Peru and Argentina. If you like ceviches then you will truly be in heaven. As a pescatarian myself for the past 10 years, I surely was.
The trip to the Casablanca Valley wine region of Chile was very informative besides being fun and filled with some of delectable wines. A few interesting facts from visiting organic vineyards I learned are that ladybugs are one the best eliminators of pests and that chickens are great for natural fertilization of the vineyards!
Enjoy Santiago through my little eye!
