January 13 - Continued

I hate it when I work on a post for a while and it disappears into the great, black, void.  For some reason the Save function is not working well, but what I did seemed to publish.

I saw (another) nice looking building, below on the left.  Then I ducked inside and found out they only preserved the facade.  I wouldn't be surprised if this happens often

 
















Off to the Parque Metropolitano.  This is another larger hill in the Santiago plane, however they have a Furnicular (inclined railway) to assist you if you want.  I just enjoy riding these sort of things so I took the trip up - right?   :)

The cars are open, and the whole system does not seem as "solid" as Wellington.

 At the very top of the hill is the "virgin Summit," c/w statue.  Another busy place.

 A couple of shots of the view.  I found out there is a large forest fire out there somewhere which apparently accounts for a lot of the smog.  I was told there is one helicopter fighting it.  Seems a bit light.  They are saying it is very dry here and quite wet down south.

You can see the flat plain with the 'Cerros" (hills). On the flight in the countryside was quite brown and reminded me of Kamloops. 

Last photo today.  I walked down a trail (wasted a buck because I bought a round trip ticket on the Funicular).  Very dusty, fragile vegetation, thrashed up even more by mountain bikers (who are forbidden  on the trails now).  

This squatters camp was partway down.  The classic tin shacks.  Whoever built these was fairly energetic as these are a fair ways from the road.

Tomorrow is hopefully an earlier trip into town to join a tour group (in English) so I can find out how badly I've been lying to you so far.