September 18, 2018

September 18, 2018

Yesterday we followed the path of San Martin and his Army of the Andes over the mountains in the liberation of Chile. Today we are celebrating Chile’s Independence. It just happens that today is Fiestas Patrias or Independence Day in Chile. It is a three day holiday and there are government celebrations in Santiago’s main square, Plaza de Armas.

Security is tight and the streets around the square are blocked off, with police everywhere. We wait at one spot nearly an hour before we realize a policewoman keeps directing locals to the opposite side. So we take the hint and circle around to a different corner and find better views of the government buildings. In front are groups of ceremonial troops and military bands representing every branch of the military. They seem ready to start marching any moment. Interestingly one group has helmets that resemble those of German WWII soldiers. Despite watching for two hours, they do little more than stand around. We finally get tired, especially since it tries to rain several times, and decide to leave.

We have a quick lunch at the hotel before joining our group’s afternoon city tour. We start with the Presidential Palace where our local guide relates Chile’s modern history. In the 70’s Allende, a Socialist President was elected, resulting in embargoes by the US. After serving three years a military coup toppled him and installed Pinochet. He turned out to be a dictator, who was eventually voted out of office.

We then returned to the Plaza de Armas, which is now cleared of barriers to learn about the colonial history and establishment of the city. One of the legacies of Spanish colonization was the concentration of wealth and land ownership into the hands of just a few families. This inequity was one of the reasons the Socialist Allende got elected.

We finish in the newer and more modern section of Santiago. The tallest building in South America is here. We stop at Bicentennial Park where several ponds contain some unique local birds including Black-Necked Swans, Chilean Flamingos and a small water-bird with a pistachio-green beak.

In the evening we have our Farewell dinner where we say good-bye to our travelling companions.