Santiago, Chile - Where the Altitude and Attitude Match

ok, so i landed in santiago and immediately felt like i'd been dropped into a blender of mountains, smog, and street art. the numbers 3874212 and 1152402180? no idea, but they felt like a secret code for "prepare for altitude sickness and existential dread." the weather? temp 29.11°c, feels like 27.8°c, humidity 27%. basically, it's hot enough to make you question your life choices but dry enough to keep your hair from exploding. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing.

if you get bored, valparaíso and mendoza are just a short drive away. but honestly, santiago's got enough chaos to keep you entertained. i heard that the locals call it "chile's concrete jungle with a view." and they're not wrong.

i spent my first day wandering through barrio bellavista, where the walls are basically a gallery of graffiti that screams, "we're alive and we're not afraid to show it." someone told me that the best empanadas in town are at *la casa de las empanadas, and i'm not one to argue with drunk advice. the crust was flaky, the filling was meaty, and the hot sauce? let's just say i cried a little.

"if you're not sweating by noon, you're not doing santiago right."

- overheard from a street vendor selling fresh juices.

i also checked out the mercado central, which is basically a seafood lover's fever dream. the smell of ceviche and fried fish hits you like a freight train, and the vendors are shouting over each other like it's a competition. i grabbed a plate of reineta a lo pobre (fish with fries and fried eggs) and immediately regretted not wearing stretchy pants.

for the history nerds, the museo chileno de arte precolombino is a must. i overheard a guide saying that the artifacts here are older than my grandma's secrets. and if you're into views, the cerro san cristóbal cable car will give you a panoramic shot of the city that'll make your instagram followers weep with envy.

i also stumbled upon a local brewery (because, priorities) called cervecería nacional. the craft beer scene here is no joke, and the ipa i tried tasted like sunshine and rebellion. someone warned me that the metro during rush hour is like being in a sardine can with a side of chaos, so maybe avoid that unless you're into human Tetris.

and let's talk about the andes. they're not just a backdrop; they're a constant reminder that you're living in a city that's basically flirting with the sky. i took a day trip to valle nevado and nearly died from the combination of altitude and my own lack of fitness. but the views? worth every labored breath.

if you're into street art, the san miguel neighborhood is a goldmine. i heard that the murals there are so good, they make the berlin wall look like a kindergarten project. and for the coffee snobs, colina café in lastarria will make you question every latte you've ever had.

i also checked out the parque forestal, which is basically santiago's version of central park but with more dogs and fewer tourists. i sat by the river, ate a completo (chilean hot dog), and watched the world go by. someone told me that the best time to visit is during fiestas patrias in september, but i was there in january and still had a blast.

and just when i thought i'd seen it all, i found myself in la vega central, a market so chaotic it makes your local grocery store look like a zen garden. the colors, the smells, the people-it's like stepping into a living, breathing postcard.

i also heard that the costanera center is the tallest building in south america, but i didn't go up because heights and i have a complicated relationship. instead, i wandered through parque bicentenario, which is basically a green oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle.

and let's not forget the wine. i took a day trip to the maipo valley* and came back with a suitcase full of malbec and a liver that was questioning my life choices. someone told me that the best wineries are the ones that don't have a website, so i just followed my nose and ended up at a family-run vineyard that felt like home.

anyway, santiago is a city that doesn't hold back. it's loud, it's messy, and it's absolutely unforgettable. i left with a sunburn, a full belly, and a heart full of stories. and if you're wondering whether to go, the answer is yes. just bring sunscreen and a sense of adventure.