Once Upon A Time in Latin America (9) Santiago: Cerro Santa Lucía

I actually forgot to change the currency at the airport cause I took a free ride from there. It was after 1:00 PM. I was hungry and when I starved at the restaurant opposite, the pizza was so appetizing that I couldn't even lie down. Go out! I left all the not-so-important stuff in the hotel, took cash safety with me. I asked the front desk where I could exchange money, she gave me the address. Well, it happened to be right next to the La Moneda Palace.

When I went out, I was so afraid of my phone being grabbed that I gripped my phone ring. I opened "Tantu" and chose the "La Moneda Palace". Meanwhile, I passed the bustling weapon square and the magnificent cathedral but I was not in the mood to visit them cause I was on an empty stomach. According to the guidance of a policeman, I found the small EXCHANGE store. The exchange rate for 1 USD was 696 Chilean dollars. I had 300 USD exchanged. When more than two hundred thousand Chilean Peso was in my bad, I was rich right away. However, when I was not available money, I saw restaurants everywhere; when I was wealthy, I could not see them anymore. Well, with money I didn't feel so hungry.

So I decided to visit the La Moneda Palace first. The La Moneda Palace is the seat of the President of the Republic of Chile. Here was heavily guarded and roads closed. I didn't like such countries which need so many police guards by nature. Zoomed the telephoto lens, I found the guards' costume was a bit like the Japanese soldiers'.

The Chilean flag hung on the palace was particularly huge. Rare in the world! Does it mean authority? I don't know. I only know that many domestic companies have a brilliant door, while Google has only a small logo on the roadside.

I met a handsome policeman on the road, then I boldly approached, complimented and asked for taking a picture together. So sorry I took a horrible picture that both the policeman and I looked bad.

I usually visit famous local universities when I visit one place. I had planned to visit the University of Chile but I could not find it. I then directly went to Cerro Santa Lucía due to the limited time. I bought some cakes to fill my stomach when I walked.

I felt it was a long time but I walked only a short distance. I walked around the top of the mountain but the road still seemed to be so long. Finally, my feet took me to the top of the mountain. Calming down, I looked out over the Andes and took a panoramic view of the Spanish-style city.