Cerro San Cristobal

This morning, Wednesday 28th, we walked via Bellavista to the funicular that goes up the San Cristobal hill. This is the highest point in town at 800+ metres and offers great views of Santiago and the Andes.  Unfortunately I am having trouble with uploading photos via blogger.
It is a very hot day and everyone was seeking the shade on the summit. We had stopped at the zoo, which perches on the slopes of the hill, before we got to the summit. Flamingos and bright orange ibis, vicunos, lama, Humbolt penguins and many other species are housed here. The school groups were enjoying their outing.
Now we are cooling off in our hotel room!

Santiago, Chile

We have arrived in Santiago Chile by time travel, in only a short 5 hours, thanks to international time zones! As it was my birthday I had extra time to celebrate and a lovely dinner to end the day plus the hotel staff provided a bottle of bubbles, a slice of cake with a candle and sang happy birthday in Spanish! Here the candle allows 3 wishes, before you blow it out!
Santiago is a very green, pleasant city and is easy walking in the old central district. The towering, snow capped Andes dominate the eastern skyline and we can't help but stare, wide-eyed at them.

 My preparation for the trip included these small 6" squares of fabric and a couple of oil pastels as I am thinking of something in book form for these rubbed pieces on my return.

Our half day city tour was a good orientation to the city, plus I rubbed 2 squares in Plaza de Armas this morning when there.