Sunday in Santiago, 12-20

     Sunday - - - a day of rest.  We relaxed this morning and regrouped, had a nice breakfast here at the hotel and then back to the rooms to rest.  Mauricio met us here at 12:30 to lead us to a place he had picked out for lunch.  Carolina, Catalina and Tomas were attending a performance of "The Nutcracker", so they met us at the restaurant.  We also had called and invited Carolina Pizarro (daughter of Beverly and Antonio) to join us because she lives a block from our hotel.  

     Mauricio led us to the Mapocho River where there is a park (called Rio Borde) along the edge of the river where there are bike and jogging paths and a complex with at least a dozen restaurants.  We walked around to enjoy the views and marveled at how many different ethnicities were represented by the different restaurants.  We had a reservation at Ibis, famous for seafood, and it lived up to its reputation.  Mauricio ordered several seafood appetizers to be shared, including a very good seviche of a variety of seafoods.  Do  you get the idea that we have eaten well the whole time?  How true.

    After lunch Carolina Pizzaro led us to our afternoon's delight.  A "mall" of sorts, but certainly not in the familiar tradition of a mall.  Over 50 small shops, each one representing a different artisan or artist.  The variety of things was endless and we barely had time to scratch the surface.  Prices were higher than we had seen elsewhere, but the quality was a little better also.

    Back at the Holiday Inn we separated for nap time and reconvened for wine around 7 pm.  Finally at 8:30 we decided to head out for a light salad or something and found Tip y Tap, a bistro style restaurant just a few blocks from here.  Great salads, eaten outdoors under trees,  the stars, and a new moon.  A great end to a great day and a great trip!  Tomorrow we pack up, check out and head to Mauricio's parent's house to have a light lunch and to relax before heading to the airport.  Our plane doesn't leave until 10:20 pm, so I may have lots of time to write a last post from the airport!  Chao.
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~~~_/)~~~D&M

A non-sequitur. We followed this lovely Model A on our way to lunch and Jay exclaimed that it was just like the car Fluffety Grimstitch used to drive, but hers was green!

Mauricio (in the black 4 Runner in the lower right) led us to the Mapocho River (upper left) where there is an area "Rio Borde" with paths and gardens and also loads of good restaurants with all sorts of different decor and flavor. We didn't eat in the Moroccan one, but I couldn't resist getting a picture of it. We ate at Ibis - famous for it's fish dishes. No matter where you drive in Santiago, the Andes and the coastal range are always in evidence.

Jay and Pegg found a bonsai garden and museum at the Centro Artesanos Los Dominicos, while Martha concentrated on the shops. Dan and Grandma found a nice bench in the shade while the rest of us explored.