The first thing we noticed was that Santiago is incredibly cleaner than the other major cities we visited in South America -- it's cleaner than most cities, period. I was also really impressed by how many people were hanging out in the parks when we arrived. Everyone seemed so happy in a setting that seemed so perfect. Clowns, balloons, bubbles, children and laughter... It was all so very beautiful and, well, very happy.
We explored the local parks near our neighborhood, sampled local ice cream (of course), took a bike tour through local markets and back streets, toured Pablo Neruda's amazing ship-themed house, and checked out the really vibrant food scene. We also really enjoyed our day trip to Maipo Valley, which included a hike to a little lake beneath a glacier where we witnessed an engagement proposal!
Over a weekend, we stayed in Valparaiso, a coastal city known for its amazing street art. It seemed like there was something really cool to be discovered at every twist and turn. What a beautiful place, with some really mind-blowing art, far more culturally and artistically ambitious than I could have ever imagined...
Below are some of our favorite moments from our time in Chile, our final stop in South America before returning home!
