I quickly realised having no Spanish was a problem - all I wanted to do was cloak my hand luggage and go to see the city. I also don't have any French, German. Lots of people trying to help but the Mesaage was not getting through. Finally an official taxi man called his friend who speaks English and he took me under his wing and escorted me at running pace to the security baggage centre whilst negotiating a price to take on a 2/3 hour tour. With only a few USD and a travel card tucked in an inner pocket, I ignored all the advice and took off with my new best friend Alex and his non English speaking driver Julio. Confidence was instated when I counted the religious icons hanging from any available hook in the vehicle (not sure of the brand but new and spacious and clean) figured if it worked for them it may work for me.
Alex's highlight was the Catholic Cathederal. An amazing opulence of sandstone, gold, brass, marble, painted ceilings, chandeliers, statues, decorations. A service was being held in a side chapel. There are services everyday and it is a place of great calm and healing (as quoted by my guide).
Monsenor's interned in a marble crypt.
The local fish market is located in a very not well maintained wooden building, that still highlights the architectural details.
The fish is brought every morning from the coast about 1 1/2 hours drive every day. It smelt and looked very fresh. Clams, X-rays, mussels and some things I have never seen before and would not even be able to attempt to cook.
At this point we call into a Service Station - and the price negotiated has moved from USD to local and because of the fee to go into a park, the cost is now 150 000 local currency. It is illegal for me to pay USD. So I take out the required amount and business is conducted with Alex filling out all the forms for his boss, including time sheets for him and the driver.
Then up to the top of the mountain to view the city which is located in a basin, home to 6 million, and surrounded by mountains. Santiago is covered by a brown pollution haze that is only blown away in Dec and Jan when the prevailing winds come from the right direction.
Then drop Alex home for lunch and Julio drops me back at departures miles away from the baggage security - but him no English and me no Spanish decide to says thanks Grasias and walk back to get my hand luggage.
Check into the flight to Lima and back through immigration and another gate waiting.
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