J was so proud of how we packed, he wanted to have pictures made at the airport.
The plane from Houston to Santiago was not completely full. It was a quiet and easy overnight flight.
Quacker Jack with our flight map. I really like how it showed it was daytime in Australia.
Here we are coming in for a landing!
We shared a cab to the
city center and were the first to our destination. This is our
apartment from the outside - we are on the 16th floor.
We have some great views from our balcony and bedroom windows.
We explored the city a little on our first full day here. We liked the look of this building.
It appears that these buildings all coordinated with each other so they would look just right on this little side street.
Our view at night
Quacker Jack with many Chilean flags near the city center
I only wish the wind were blowing more for this picture. This is one of the largest flags I've ever seen.
We took a walking tour of the city. This building is in Constitution Square, just behind the president's office building.
This is Chile's mint. Look at how big those doors are! There was a guard standing just inside.
This is the Ex National Congress Building. Congress now meets in a town about an hour away from Santiago.
We love a miniature truck!
We stopped at the Cathedral of Santiago on our walking tour. It is being renovated on the outside but the inside is marvelous.
The white building is a post office.
We really liked the curve built into this building.
This building is referred to as the blushing building. It's gray stones began turning a pink color that coordinates with the red of the second level. The color change was not planned, but a nice look for it.
More old and new in the city center - see the skyscraper in the background of the beautiful church.
Our tour guide told us the joke in Santiago is that everything is always being refurbished or reconstructed...note the crew on the right of this picture.
This is a residence. Look how the ivy is trimmed around the windows!
A square in the city as we head back to our apartment for the evening. We enjoyed our walking tour, but it was nice to sit and rest our weary legs at the end of the day.
Older and wiser, we realize that our "carry-on sized" suitcases were not truly carry-on sized. They are small by American standards, but were still a titch larger than the airline standard carry-on size of 22 inches x 14 inches x 9 inches (for a total of 45 inches).
J hunted and hunted to find his perfect suitcase and finally found it in this Eagle Creek case - 20 inches x 14 inches x 8 inches.
Mine, I stumbled upon when I was shoe shopping at Stein Mart (what a pleasant surprise). It makes the cut for carry-on size by being 20 inches x 11 inches x 10 inches. And it has a nifty hidden handle that extends to be a rolling case.
Before we left for our fall travels, I was so proud of how light I had packed. After lugging that suitcase all over Europe, I was not so proud. I set myself to taking even less clothes on this trip, but when I made my list, I realized I had the same number of clothes as in the fall. I think I fooled myself into thinking that since it is summer time in South America, summer clothes take up less space, so I should be able to take more. I had to have a serious think about what I would really need and cull my list down a bit. Here is what made the cut:
This is my wear on the plane outfit - wearing the bulkiest items so they don't cram up my case.
Then, I have a blue button up shirt, mustard cardigan, and three three-quarters length t-shirts. A couple tank tops for layering, and a pair of black capris, navy capris, and a blue jean skirt.
In addition to these clothes, I have my swimsuit and cover-up, exercise clothes, pajamas and underthings.
I'm taking my raincoat, but also thought I'd need a light jacket for the evenings, so I decided on a thin black blazer (also three quarter length...I do love a good three quarter sleeve).
Simple jewelry, just like our last trip, with my monogram necklace from my mom, but this time I have a new necklace. My fantastic sister in law gave me this cute Alabama necklace for Christmas so I'll always have a piece of home with me while we're gone.
I'll wear the camel loafers on the plane. I've got flip flops to throw in just before we leave.
These travel cubes compress everything!
And of course, I'll take a HUGE purse with a variety of snacks and necessities, including a navy and white scarf, socks for the plane, my Fitbit, Kindle, sunglasses and TSA approved liquids.
Some people have asked, "How did you decide on Chile?" Here is the 10 day forecast for Birmingham:
Here is the 10 day forecast for Santiago, Chile:
And thanks to my mom, who sent this link, we know there's plenty to do. I think we'll have a great stay!
