Lunch on the roof at Mesarina in the Bella
Vista Neighborhood. IMG_4233.jpgHere are some pictures and comments about our daily life in Santiago, to share with friends and family back home. Thanks to Carol from Andes Living for coming out to the airport and making sure everyone had a ride to his or her host family.
We've more or less caught up on sleep and opening activites for the program start Monday.
Sunday is Dia de Mama, just like it is at home. For us it was lunch and a walking tour of the city ending at the Plaza de Armas.
Lunch on the roof at Mesarina in the Bella
Vista Neighborhood. IMG_4233.jpg
Then into Plaza de Armas.
IMG_4236.jpg
Museo Historica Nacional.
IMG_4238.jpg
Resting. IMG_4239.jpg
Photos. IMG_4243.jpg
The crowd watching street
performers. IMG_4245.jpg
The clock at the top of the Torre
Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna in the museum.
IMG_4248.jpg
We weren't allowed up any further
than this. IMG_4249.jpg
A long way from Cape Elizabeth.
IMG_4251.jpg
Watch your step.
IMG_4256.jpgThis was the second day of class. After the morning lecture we gathered for lunch, fun headgear, and photos.
Lunch at the Info Point in el
Reloj IMG_4257.jpg
Picnic (a Lunch place that's
great in good weather). Good coffee.
IMG_4260.jpgNext was the first Chilean Literature Course.
Project in the
Chilean Literature course.
IMG_4266.jpg
The Middle Group.
IMG_4269.jpg
More.
IMG_4272.jpg
The Left Group.
IMG_4275.jpgThen the biomedical imaging workshop which is a chance to do homework with the help of the teaching team.
Biomedical Imaging Workshop; Eric
explains the homework. IMG_4277.jpg
Group 6 Teamwork, with Group 5 in
the back row. IMG_4278.jpg
Group 3 in front, and Group 4 in
back.
IMG_4279.jpgThe day ended around sunset and it was possibly the most interesting sunset I've ever seen.
Group photo at the end of the
day. IMG_4283.jpg
Blue light is scattered away,
leaving bright reds and yellows; Lord
Rayleight was right.
IMG_4285.jpg
Cerro Manquehue in the sunset.
IMG_4286.jpg
Eric Explains the homework. IMG_4290.jpg
Students from NU and Uandes, ...
IMG_4291.jpg
... working hard on Homework 1 ... IMG_4292.jpg
in the Biomedical Imaging
Workshop. IMG_4293.jpg
Tour of the teaching labs. IMG_4294.jpg
Research Labs IMG_4297.jpg
IMG_4298.jpg
Beginnings of the new engineering
building, which will be open next year.
IMG_4299.jpg
The old teleferique has been
closed for many years and just re-opened.
The Costanera Tower, between the trees is
the tallest building in South America.
IMG_4304.jpg
Loading, IMG_4306.jpg
Riding
up. Cabins hold 6.
IMG_4307.jpg
Is everyone here? IMG_4310.jpg
At the top of the hill is a
statue commemorating the Immaculate
Conception, with a small chapel below.
IMG_4316.jpg
Enjoying a warm autumn day ... IMG_4320.jpg
... looking at the scenery, ... IMG_4321.jpg
... IMG_4325.jpg
... meeting another international
group that is visiting UAndes, ...
IMG_4327.jpg
... posing for photos, ...
IMG_4329.jpg
... and playing with un perrito.
There are still some
street dogs around Santiago, but not as many
as I remember from the past. IMG_4330.jpg
Resting and enjoying the view.
IMG_4332.jpg
Cheers: no visit to Cerro San
Cristobal is complete without Mote con
Huesillo, ... IMG_4333.jpg
... A cold, sweet drink for a
warm day (more popular in the summer than
now), ... IMG_4334.jpg
... made from a
dried peach that has been rehydrated and
cooked in peach juice. Wheat is placed in
the bottom of the glass. IMG_4335.jpg
It can get messy. IMG_4341.jpgToday is a holiday in Chile so we have no class. We make up for it next week, because that's a holiday back home, but not here.
A group of us climbed Cerro Manquehue. I gave up on the last
couple hundred meters, but made it most of the way to the top.
Here is the track
and
Here is the elevation profile.
and a few photos
Manquehue is very popular. Some
do it on bicycles. Some do it on horses
(see later). IMG_4346.jpg
This is where the hike really
starts... IMG_4347.jpg
... and that big peak in the
background is where it ends.
IMG_4348.jpg
As mentioned, some do it on
horses. IMG_4349.jpg
here's the group. IMG_4352.jpg
It's a pretty clear day for
climbing. IMG_4355.jpg
What amazed me the most was the
diversity of flora. There are saguro
cacti,... IMG_4356.jpg
... and I'm not sure what these
are,... IMG_4357.jpg
... and lots of trees I've never
seen. There is a bit of snow already high
in the Andes. IMG_4358.jpg
Research at the clinic.
IMG_4363.jpg
Up the funicular to lunch...
IMG_4371.jpg
... at the Brighton
... IMG_4374.jpg
... with a great view of the
city.
IMG_4381.jpg
Lunch. IMG_4392.jpg
I think this cash register is
older than I am. IMG_4395.jpg
The electric busses of
Valparaiso are not just a tourist
attraction, but a common means of local
transportation. This picture shows one of
the older models. IMG_4409.jpg
Plaza Sotomeyer. The monument
honors the heros of the battle of
Iqueque. IMG_4412.jpg
Valparaiso is still an active
port. IMG_4413.jpg
A boat ride around the port.
IMG_4420.jpg
Felipe, our guide, friend,
translator, and organizer of great social
and cultural activities.
IMG_4422.jpg
Up close. IMG_4426.jpg
The port. IMG_4438.jpg
My little friend, David, and his
padre. We had a good conversation with
Felipe translating.
IMG_4441.jpg
Up again. There are many of
these funiculars around the city.
IMG_4444.jpg
The gang at twilight on Templeman
Street. IMG_4454.jpg
At the dulceria... IMG_4461.jpg
...shopping was done.
IMG_4458.jpg
We go up on the funiculars, but
down on the slide. IMG_4463.jpg One of the "major food groups" of Chile is the chorillana,
often eaten while watching futbol games. It includes fries, meat,
onions, fried eggs and more.
Dinner with chorillanas...
IMG_4470.jpg
... not for the calorie
conscious. IMG_4472.jpg
The gang at dinner.
IMG_4480.jpg
Sunday was a day for touring Pablo Neruda's house, walking around
Vina del Mar, and ending with a bit of recreation on the dunes.
El reloj de flores in Vina del
Mar. IMG_4485.jpg
Shaking hands with Pablo Neruda.
IMG_4491.jpg
On the pier at Vina del Mar.
IMG_4502.jpg
Lunch. IMG_4513.jpg
Sandboarding on the dunes at
Con-Con, north of Vina del Mar. IMG_4519.jpg
IMG_4527.jpg
IMG_4530.jpg
Looking back at Vina and Valpo.
IMG_4538.jpg
Watching from the top of the
dune. IMG_4546.jpg
IMG_4556.jpg
It can get pretty dirty.
IMG_4563.jpg
IMG_4564.jpg
Chilean Culture class IMG_4570.jpg Trip to visit the imaging facilities at Universidad Catolica.
Dr. Irrazaval gave a great tour of the campus and the MRI
facilities and talked about research there.
The building is designed to
withstand earthquakes. Upstairs is an
impressive arrangement of faculty and
student offices and labs. IMG_4575.jpg
It's a beautiful campus with
views of the Andes, great architecture, and
modern facilities. IMG_4580.jpg
IMG_4581.jpg
The sun is setting behind us as
we look east toward the mountains.
IMG_4582.jpg
The day ended with dinner in Nunoa.
"I can't believe I ate the whole
thing." IMG_4584.jpg
The view from my hotel window;
this looks to me like a big cruise ship.
IMG_4586.jpg Chilean Lunch: A great tradition of the international programs at
UAndes, with sopapillas, empeñadas, big skewers of meat and
vegetables, mote con husillo, cake, and more, and Chilean dancing.
On a clear day you can see
forever. This isn't quite it, but it's one
of the best views I have seen of the
Costañera building,
just about in the center of the
picture. Taken from the library steps just
before lunch.
IMG_4588.jpg
Backpack storage with dancing
about to begin. IMG_4591.jpg
The dancers ... IMG_4593.jpg
... IMG_4594.jpg
... IMG_4595.jpg
... dancing the Cueca ...
IMG_4597.jpg
... IMG_4598.jpg
... as the students watch.
IMG_4596.jpg
Posing for pictures.
IMG_4599.jpg
The afternoon was a cultural trip to the "Memory Museum" (Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos), perhaps one of the most interesting afternoons I have spent in Chile. We were very absorbed in the discussion, led by our guide and as a result, we have no pictures. There is a website: https://ww3.museodelamemoria.cl.
I never knew he played guitar. IMG_4601.jpg
Students at work in Chilean
culture class. IMG_4603.jpg
* IMG_4604.jpg
* IMG_4605.jpg
There's snow on the
precordillera (foothills of the Andes).
IMG_4607.jpg
Horseback riding instruction.
IMG_4610.jpg
Students watching the lesson.
IMG_4611.jpg
* IMG_4614.jpg
Huaso Culture. IMG_4616.jpg
Demonstration of riding skills.
IMG_4617.jpg
The Chilean saddle is different.
IMG_4620.jpg
I'm not sure what kind of tree it
is, but it's impressive. IMG_4624.jpg
Stopping for lunch. IMG_4647.jpg
Lunch and music. IMG_4625.jpg
IMG_4630.jpg
IMG_4636.jpg
Outside the restaurant.
IMG_4644.jpg
Windmill. IMG_4646.jpg
Santurio del Nino de las Palmas.
IMG_4653.jpg
The palms have been tapped for
their syrup. IMG_4654.jpg
The gang. IMG_4655.jpg
A happy waffle eater (one of
several at Buffalo Waffles).
IMG_4685.jpgThere's more fresh snow on the precordillera again, and we're in
the middle of a stretch of bad weather.
There's even snow on Cerro
Manquehue. IMG_4688.jpg
Hotel Ibis, Manquehue Norte.
This is home and office for the
trip. IMG_4689.jpg
The University was closed for bad weather yesterday, and various
students reported snow, hail, sleet, and just rain depending on
where in the city they lived. The morning paper showed snow on the
plaza in front of la Moneda. At our hotel there was a bit of sleet,
and a lot of rain, but not much worse. The result was some great
clear air this morning.
I think this may be the first
time I've seen the Costanera tower so
clearly from the library steps. With a
little bit of imagination, you can see the
Madonna on top of Cerro San Cristobal.
IMG_4691.jpg
Here's an interesting combination
of autumn leaves, blue sky, and snow looking to the
south from outside el Reloj. IMG_4693.jpg
With great visability and a late start time for our visit to la
Moneda, it was a perfect day to visit Sky Costanera, the tallest
building in South America at 62 floors. Despite this being my third
trip to Santiago, I had never been up there.
Sky Costanera. IMG_4710.jpg
Looking east toward the
Cordillera along Rio Mapuche and the
Costanera Norte Freeway with Manquehue in
the front. IMG_4698.jpg
The window washers looked very
comfortable and relaxed on the 61st floor
outisde. IMG_4700.jpg
Looking to the south with
Tobalaba in the lower foreground.
IMG_4702.jpg
The 62nd floor is open to the
sky. IMG_4704.jpg
The Madonna on Cerro San Cristobal
is easy to see in this picture. IMG_4705.jpg
This reminds me of a lecture I
give in my Optics for Engineers course, on
combining optical systems.
IMG_4711.jpg
Stray dogs have been a common
sight in Santiago for a long time. The
number is going down, but they are still
there. Unlike many other cities, they are
quite friendly, and for the most part,
docile. Despite people's efforts to care
for them, it's still a hard life for a homeless
perro on these
streets, and it's good to see their number
declining. IMG_4714.jpg
Orange trees at la Moneda. IMG_4720.jpg
Listening to our guide. IMG_4722.jpg
IMG_4723.jpg
Presidents... recent (Bachelet) ... IMG_4725.jpg
... and current (Pinera). Both
Bachelet and Pinera served previous terms.
Multiple terms are allowed but they cannot
be consecutive. IMG_4726.jpg
A little breeze unfurled the
national flag in front of la Moneda.
IMG_4728.jpg
Today I gave my last lecture and students prepared for their talks
tomorrow. We finished the day with our farewell dinner at Fuente
Suisse in Nunoa.
The Hat. IMG_4733.jpg
Students enjoying Chilean
sandwiches of various sorts. IMG_4735.jpg
It's time to fold the tent and say goodbye to our friends in
Santiago. Felipe has given us a great memory in this
video
Getting ready for final talks in
Auditorio A in Bibliotec
IMG_4742.jpg
Felipe presents his video at the
concluding ceremony.
IMG_4743.jpg
Felipe has given us a great memory in this
video.
Time to say goodbye to host families and other friends who came by
to see us off.
"Our Chilean mothers" make good
and lasting friends. IMG_4744.jpg
Five weeks have gone by quickly,
and now it's time to leave. I ordered two
big vans, and we just barely got everything
and everyone in. IMG_4745.jpg
It was hot in Atlanta, but that
didn't keep us from posing in our llama
sweaters. IMG_4747.jpg
And so that's the end of the beginning; The memories and friendships made will continue,and there will be Chilean lunches and other activities here, and I'm sure some NU students will be going back in the future, as some UAndes students will come north to vist NU. And it's not just students. I've already got tickets for a return trip for skiing in August, and I'm making plans for next year's Dialogues of Civilization program. I also have made many friends in Chile, and I'll enjoy fond memories Santiago and especially activites with our students forever.
