We're back in Santiago, where today we got a tour from Tere and Teresita of some gorgeous colonial houses. The Spanish imported their architecture, along with lots of new diseases, when they arrived in the 1500s, and throughout their occupation they built bigger and more impressive places. The first one we saw is now owned by a university, and the second by Tere's uncle who has spent a fortune restoring it and filling it with antiques.
From there we went to Padre Hurtado park where a huge, ten-day "Chilenedad" fair is going on to celebrate independence day on the 18th. It's a big agricultural show with llamas, horses, etc., displays from the Chilean military, and plenty of places to eat authentic food. It was a little quiet today, being a Monday, but that just meant we didn't have to queue for anything.
We ate empanadas, of course, and tried a few traditional drinks. Hannah went for mote con huesillo, a mix of corn, dried peaches, and peach juice. It's a summer snack, sold in almost as many places as honey roasted peanuts, and she and Teresita enjoyed it a lot. I opted for the legendary terremoto, "earthquake", a diabolical mix of pisco, white wine, and a dollop of pineapple ice cream. You only need one, although if you order a second you ask for an "aftershock". Tere dropped us home and I slept for three hours.
House number one.
This is the fully restored chapel.
Tere's uncle's house. He's a senator in the Chilean parliament.
As you can see, rather nice.
Some more of his collection.
The formally laid-out gardens.
Off to the park and the Chilenedad.
Even with this advantage, England failed to beat Chile at football.
Teresita takes a pony ride.
Tere orders the mote con huesillo.
It was actually very tasty.
Everything the Chilean cowboy needs.
Alpacas: uppity.
Some Chilean quail.
A pig.
And a llama!
Teresita's favourite part of the fair - the bouncy castle!
Coming down the slide.
Of course, Tere didn't want to miss out.
Me and my earthquake.
It's as bad as it looks.
The Chilean coast guard's newest recruits! Lord Cochrane would be proud.
