Santiago

Recognizing that our time in the city is quickly drawing to a close, we took time last night and today to hit a few more of the important spots.

Last night, we had dinner at an out of the way peruvian restaurant with our friend Vinny and UNC student Mark. Interesting seafood (including an octopus ceviche, yum) and good drinks made for a great dinner for Blake and the three bankers. We had some insightful discussions on the ¨game¨ and the ¨story¨. (Investment banking related issues.)

Today we played tourists and went to the Iglesia San Francisco, an ancient cathedral here that has survived 3 destructive earthquakes. Fascinating inside, as attached around the various saint altars are hundreds of small gold plaques, pieces of notebook paper, or wooden signs posted by visitors. Each one specifically addresses the individual saint in thanks and praise for a specific prayer request. Again, different from more european or north american cathedrals in the symbology and decor is more rich, more paint and texture, almost to the point of gaudy. A huge and visibly frequented St. Francis of Assisi altar was here, and absolutely covered with pictures of pets and thanks for the life and health of various mascotas (pets).

Beside the church was a museum with early american catholic-inspired artwork, and an exhibit on Gabrielle Mistral, another Chilean born poet who won the Nobel prize for literature and was also a member of the Franciscan order in the Catholic church.

Close by was the Barrio Paris-Londres, which we strolled through to see. It boasts cobblestone streets and European inspired archictecture, and is home to many hostels and several nice hotels.

Next, Tim showed me the stock exchange building and the Palacio Moneda, which borders on a huge plaza and is where many presidential offices are located. It was also the building that was bombed on Sept. 11, 1973, when Pinochet staged a coup over the reigning populist government of Salvador Allende. Allende committed suicide in the building as the coup was occuring, Tim and I just wonder if there´s a conspiracy theory lurking there. Allende´s statue in in the plaza (second picture above) and reads, ¨I have faith in Chile and its destiny.¨

We were interested in visiting a nearby restaurant, and chose a risky option in taking the local bus system. Hopping ¨micros¨ here in Santiago is very interesting, as they don´t really have stops, you just stick out your hand, then ring the buzzer when you´re ready to get off. We made it safely for an early evening snack and beverage at Confiteria Torres, a historic building rescued by a Chilean couple and turned into a wonderful bar and restaurant.

A later snack and beverage were enjoyed with Andres and business school friends, with whom we will be travelling with in the South.