Friday, October 9th, 2010

Santiago, Chile

Flying into the Chilean central valley at daybreak was breathtaking, with a literal roygbiv rainbow played across the Andes mountains.  We arrived at the Santiago airport and were greeted with Chile’s comprehensive customs process; this is a country tightly nestled between mountains and ocean, and acutely concerned with outside flora and fauna disrupting the ecosystem.

Our guide Hannes is very enthusiastic. He immigrated to South America  from Austria several years ago, and clearly loves his adopted home.  After rounding up our group at the airport, Hannes had us dive right into Santiago, with a trip to Santa Lucia Hill, a place rich with history and  gorgeous views of the entire city http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Luc%C3%ADa_Hill, and to  Iglesia de San Francisco, the oldest standing church in Santiago. http://www.allsantiago.com/barrios/snfco.html

Even in these first hours after arriving, something our group has noticed is the incredible variety of architecture here, and the old church offers a clue to the mash up of architectural eras: earthquakes.  Early 19th century monolithic structures sit side by side with 70s era condominiums in Santiago, and there’s a certain shabbiness in the sophisticated urban landscape here; it all points to the ongoing reconstruction and rebuilding of Chile, necessitated by earthquakes (as you may remember, the most recent one an 8.8 this past February.)

Dinner this first night is in a rotating 16th floor restaurant, providing arresting views of the vast city of Santiago at sunset.  Looking forward to a good night’s sleep and a vineyard tour tomorrow!

Brandi Parisi, All Classical FM On-Air Host

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Santiago, Chile

Listen to Brandi Parisi's first audio post from the trip below.

Audio

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Punta Arenas Harbor

Click on the audio below to hear Brandi's second audio postcard from the trip.

Audio

Blue Massif at Torres del Paine National Park

Click the link below to see video of these majestic mountains!

Video

The travellers at Torres del Paine National Park

Want to hear more about the trip? Click below to listen to Brandi's third audio postcard.

Audio

Teatro Colon

Click below to hear Brandi's fourth audio postcard.

Audio

Shopping in La Boca

A colorful street on which to pick up some souvenirs!