Today we had a tour within the city of Santiago that started right downtown at the President's Palace. We decided to head downtown early and roam around. Good thing we did.
We live very close to the #1 Metro line and it takes us right downtown about 5 metro stops away.
When we tried to enter the metro station by us it was closed. No one seemed to know why. So we hopped on a bus (oh I love Google Maps) and off we went towards town. Oh but then there is a detour and off we go maneuvering around something, for which we figured was a protest. The entire street was closed.
When we turned back onto the street we could see something in the distance but not sure what. As we inched forward in the bus, a passengers proceeded to close the windows - now it is hot here so closing windows is not done lightly (and no buses are not air conditioned).
We could see smoke, or what we thought was smoke was actually tear gas. We knew we had to get off the bus. The driver opened the doors and pretty much everyone got off. We walked away from the demonstration.
Now for those of you who are not aware of the issues here in Chile - google it. But the people are fighting back against a right wing government. They are demanding a change for the people! The economic divide here is horrendous and they are fighting for a change. Now the government has called for a referendum in April and that has calmed many. However like many mass demonstrations there has been a small group of protesters that have been horrible and very destructive.
They have put buildings on fire, destroyed metro stations (that are still closed today and not sure when they will be repaired). Major and small business have been under attack by destroying the building. They have taken down/destroyed street lights only adding to the chaos with traffic. Graffiti is EVERYWHERE all over business, walls, statues, anything.
Sadly this small group is made up mainly of those that are younger and seem to have no regard for people and the destruction they have done.
So back to us walking away. Right away we were feeling the effect of the tear gas. (Only four countries use tear gas on their people - Chile being one). The army/police spray tear gas on the rioters and of course it gets in the air. We could smell it and it caused us to cough and our eyes burned a bit and we were quite a distance away (like a block away).
We back tracked and then went up a few blocks and then came back to the main street only to come right up to where the rioters were throwing rocks at the army/police (sorry I don't know who or if it was both). The police were spraying water to hold them back and enclosing on them.
We back tracked again and came out were it was all clear. Although many sites around the Palace had fences around it limiting the people entering.
After about an hour it had died down considerably.
We never felt in any real danger but we knew we had to get away. It was certainly eye opening.
Our guide Pablo met us and toured us around the city. Sadly many places were closed just for protection for possible rioters. But we still walked for over three hours with him and he showed us a lot.
That night we met up with Carlos for a fun meal and then to a bar for drinks. These sandwiches are traditional Chilean food!
We shared these and no we could not finish them either.
Of course we had pisco, one pisco sour and one piscola. Bernie was feeling no pain. Lots of great laughs and fun and a day we won't soon forget.
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