Our guide Tanya picks us up for a half-day tour of Santiago. We see lots of examples of the vibrant street art for which Santiago is known.
The building owners pay artists to use their building as a canvas. You'll notice there's also some less artistic graffiti, the result of political upheaval over…
Even the churches are not immune to the anti-government messages.
More interesting street art.
Then we drive up Cerro Santa Lucía, which has served as both an important religious and military location over the centuries, including Fort Hildago in…
The view of downtown Santiago from Santa Lucía hill.
Memorial for a famous Chilean historian and politician.
Another memorial on the hill.
Another view of downtown Santiago. The surrounding mountains and lack of wind cause heavy pollution almost year round.
Palacio de la Moneda, government headquarters, and office of the President. The courtyard is surrounded by barricades as a result of the recent protests.
Monument to Salvador Allende, Socialist leader of Chile until 1973 when he was ousted by a coup led by Pinochet and backed by the CIA.
Headquarters of the Metropolitan Region of Chile (equivalent to a state in the United States).
The old National Congress building.
The Supreme Court building.
Next we spent some time in the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Art Musuem), which has a ton of interesting artifacts.
And then we came across some Chinchineros. They dance while playing a drum on their back together with cymbals controlled by a foot pedal. It's a fascinating…
Video of the Chinchineros.
The Metropolitan Cathedral along La Plaza de Armas.
A nice fountain in the middle of Plaza de Armas.
The Post Office building alongside the plaza.