Landing and successful retrieval

I have successfully docked with the South American mainland. Now I need to get something off of my chest...I flew first class all the way here and it was the most amazing experience of my life. Unlimited drinks, full course meals (consomme starter? really?) and neat-o robot chairs that turned into beds at the push of a button. It made me a better person and everyone needs to try it at least once in their lives...American decadence at its highest.

Anyway, I got to the hostel fine. Actually every interaction I've had in South America has been smooth sailing so far. I almost didn't even get into the air out of Chicago actually because I didn't have a return ticket booked. I also look like a terrorist so that probably didn't help. I've met some other Americans in our program and we spent the day walking around Chile.

Highlights:

1) "Pino" empanadas (filled with "meat" olives, gravy, and onions.) Amazing

2) The fish market with every fish known to man killed, chilled and on display. You can even buy an entire eel.

3) The Santa Lucia park. A hike up a big fortress-like mount that I'm sure used to have some military purpose. The view of the Andes from the top was quite nice.

Lowlights

1) Santiago is dirty.

2) Smog obscures some of the view of the Andes which is regrettable.

3) There are feral street dogs laying everywhere. They happen to sprawl out right in the middle of major walkways making it near impossible not to step on one. I'm also pretty sure they're crazy...I'm also not entirely sure that they are not the primary meat in in the Pino empanadas.