Note: This post is not my best writing. But it is informational and straightforward. Enjoy. D and I recently spent the entire month of April in Santiago, Chile (sigh..seems like so long ago already, and we really miss it). We chose to stay for a month mainly because the living costs were much more affordable for a longer stay (I’ll explain more below), and also to have a more in depth experience of the culture. I know you guys are all…
I eat blood sausage in Buenos Aires
Over a year ago, D and I had dinner with some friends at an Argentinian restaurant. It was a place that my friends and I frequently visited, so we already knew our favorite dishes, but it was D’s first time there. While studying the menu, he was immediately fixated on the “parrillada mixta” – a platter with a variety of meat, including steak, short ribs, chicken, sweetbreads, and blood sausage. “We HAVE to get this!” he exclaimed. “No. It’s really…
Funky Bellavista: a Street Art Tour
Barrio Bellavista in Santiago, Chile is popular for being an upscale tourist destination as well as the nightlife hotspot. Just a pleasant walk or short metro ride away from Santiago Centro, it’s a good retreat for those looking to get away from the noise and crowds of the downtown area. The super modern outdoor galleria, Patio Bellavista, is home to dozens of boutique eateries and posh restobars, as well as little touristy shops selling all sorts of local Chilean handicrafts. Tourist…
Thanks for the memories, Santiago!
“You know, I think Santiago is my favorite city I’ve been to yet.” D says as we walk back to our house from lunch at the market one day. Our tummies are happy and full and we take turns sipping on a jugo natural, or fresh juice, just blended 3 minutes ago. An addiction that must be fueled daily. “Hmm really? But you’ve been to Paris and you love Berlin and Prague.” “Yeah, I do. But I really see us…
Guide to Santiago Centro: the heart of Chile
During our month in Santiago, we stayed in a little airBnB rental that was only a couple of blocks from Plaza de Armas, which is smack in the heart of Santiago Centro. For the most part, we’ve really enjoyed staying here and I think it’s a wonderful location (I will talk about some cons later). In fact, I’d even say that we got pretty lazy being here, because everything we need is within a short walking distance, including many ice cream parlors and…
[Santiago] Attack of the Monster Sandwiches
Walking around Santiago, it’s not hard to quickly learn that the typical fast foods here are what’s known as hot dog completos and lomito sandwiches. One is a hot dog with tomato, avocado, and a healthy dollop of mayonnaise on top. The other is a sandwich with ham, tomato, avocado, and a healthy dollop of mayonnaise. Thus is the typical pattern: some sort of bread, meat, tomato, avocado, and mayo. The Chileans looooove their mayo. And avocado. But probably mayo…
Of steep hills and colorful houses: 3 Days in Valparaiso
valle: valley paraiso: paradise Prior to actually going to Valparaiso, all I knew of it was that Anthony Bourdain went there and ate some really good seafood. And that it’s an easy day trip from Santiago. Promise of good food + convenience = as good a reason as any to visit in our book. We decided that just a day trip probably wasn’t going to be enough to explore the city, especially if there’s a lot of eating to be…
[Santiago] Coffee with Legs
D and I stand at a shiny stone countertop, fluorescent lights ablazing above, slowing sipping our midday pick-me-ups. Espresso for him, and hot chocolate for me. Our daily post lunch routine. Before us, waitresses in identical uniforms parade around in their almost too-short dresses, braided ponytails swinging back and forth, the clicks of their heels matching the rhythm of their steps. All hot, leggy young things. All the right curves in all the right places. A quick scan of the room…
Prayers for Valparaíso: City on Fire
Sunday April 13, 2014 My heart broke when I woke up this morning. Valparaíso is on fire. Just yesterday, I was strolling climbing through its hills, taking in the tranquil scenery of the Pacific Ocean, breathing in the salty ocean breeze, sampling cakes from the dozens of pastry shops around town, snapping pictures of the colorful houses and steps. Taking beautiful pictures is easy there when it’s such a photogenic city. Just yesterday, we happily left in the later part…
[Santiago] Cheap and Delicious Market Foods
D and I have been in Santiago, Chile for a little over a week now, and we already have a favorite place to eat! We’ve returned to it again and again ever since stumbling into it our second day here. In fact, we no longer even ask each other where to go for lunch, because we both just know now. Mercado Tirso de Molina is a small marketplace (yes, it’s small compared to the overwhelming La Vega next door) with produce…