Some random thoughts on Santiago de Chile:
The city is pretty clean and orderly, including traffic.
Although everything is gated and store fronts have graffitied metal shutters when closed.
The Metro (subway) is modern, fast, cheap (pricing independent of distance, but varies by time of day – CLP 620-740 / $1-1.25, using a required stored value card (costing CLP 1500 / $2.50) though it does not run past midnight I think. There are 4 lines, with 2 more slated to open over the next 2 years.
No train goes to the airport, though an express bus does from the red line 1 Pajaritos metro station.
Taxi from airport to old town was fixed fare CLP 18,000 / $29 (no tip for taxi drivers).
Santiago is at altitude in a big valley with scrub-covered mountain ranges visible to the east (coastal range) and west (Andes). Very little snow on the peaks. With the current dry spell, there is more smog than usual – in fact they were having preemptive car restrictions based on the final digit of licence plates.
The Chilean Palm tree is a surprise, given how far south we are (not tropical). It has a blackish, thick, smooth trunk.
Actually outside if the city the edge of the valley reminds me of Arizona desert, ie with cacti and shrubs but no significant trees.
Highway signs are very European, and the highways are in good shape with toll baths (inc automated gated lanes). Also extremely straight, except when going over the passes between valleys. And little roadside garbage.
Food and drink are cheap.
Drinkable wine in the grocery store starts at CLP 2,500 / $4, and a local beer is CLP 620 / $1.
Snack shops have sandwich and pop/beer combos for CLP 1,850 / $3, while nearby non-fancy restos had meals die CLP 3,000-5,500 / $5-9, with plate displays in the front window. The cheaper dishes’ names start with pobre (poor). Taxes are included.
Electric outlets are a form of European outlet with 3 round pins in a row.
Currently US$1 = 630 CLP.
You are always given a little receipt, even for small purchases (eg an empanada) though if not printed by a cash register, it’s a hand written total on a receipt preprinted with the business info & licence number.
Statue in Plaza de Armas