Hot tamale in Chile

Yeah, I know that's probably a dumb play on words, but let me tell you I was a very hot senora at the end of the day today! (Quite close to heat exhaustion, or as close as I've ever been.) Why?Because I set out for a short stroll and ended up climbing THE viewpoint in Santiago.

So, I arrived safe in Santiago, but not loving the 11-hour flight with no sleep. (Wish I could understand Spanish to know what the lady in a nearby row was talking about the WHOLE flight.) And I drooled over the "business" class leg room as I walked off the plane with achy knees and no feeling in the back side from the "turista" seats. But, I digress. Santiago is cool! ...oh, wait a minute, I just said it was hot. But, really . . . tree-lined streets, wide sidewalks. Maybe, all cities look like this, but being such a country bumpkin I don't know. As I could not check into my room at 7:30 in the a.m. when I arrived, I tried to be inconspicuous on a sofa at the hotel, but it was too close to the morning breakfast buffet, so no sleep there either. I gave up and decided to walk in the neighborhood.


Hmmm. Noticed lots of bicyclists pedaling the same direction I was walking. Curious, I kept going in the same direction and viola - the Parque Metropolitano straight ahead appeared to be the destination. The bikers, and many walkers and runners, were all heading up a road through the park. So, I headed up too. (The hot, winding, road reminded me of the highway to Haleakala on Maui in this respect.Those of you who've been there know what I'm referring to.) Bikers who had already labored up were now heading down at breakneck speed, often around blind corners. Quite the obstacle course with the cars and pedestrians and joggers going both directions. By part way up the mountain, I was bushed - not from the climb, but the heat and the fact that I was wearing black, long pants and had no water. After all, I hadn't intended to go for a HIKE. But, once I started, there was no way I wasn't going to the top. The top was the huge (46-foot tall) Virgin Mary statue which overlooks the city. This hill - the Cerro San Cristobal -is also accessed by funicular. So, many Santiago residents, it appears, make this climb their Sunday workout - whether by bicycle or by jogging or walking. There are picnic areas along the way, gardens and a municipal swimming pool. Oh, and if the walk isn't enough to get you sweating - especially in the 80 to 90 degree heat - you can do yoga or frenetic dancing at the outside stage. This was the other highlight of the walk: the scene of gyrating Chileans following the cue of a very buff instructor on stage. (If I hadn't been overheated already, I would have joined in to see if my body was capable of moving that way. I will add a photo if I can. It looks like that access may not be permitted on this hotel computer.)

Today, more exploring by foot. But, first I'm off to purchase some cooler attire-Esta muy caliente!