Santiago de Chile – Day 2: The Full 360
SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Day 2: The Full 360
April 11, 2023
Now fully rested, I could be the perfect tourist once again. I took my sweet time getting ready and headed for breakfast before starting my tour around the city.
As I roamed around the streets of Santiago, I had this bittersweet feeling. I walked aimlessly, trying to take in every single detail – but seemingly unable to. I felt like a ghost – there but also not there. Like my presence was just transitory – and let’s face it, it was. Just two more days of this and then I’d be back in Malta. While I grieved this trip coming to an end, I was excited about everything that was ahead of me. And so, with my state of mind in constant flux, I walked on and on.
In a way, I found Santiago very reminiscent of my days in Mexico City. Quite ironic, given that that was my first stop during this trip and Santiago was my very last – a full 360… Man, it seemed like I’d been there the previous day and eons previously at the same time. I still remembered the very first steps I took there – full of life and excitement. And here I was now, eight months down the line, still as passionate about the world around me as I was back then.
I tried not to let the thinking overshadow my last few days here. I didn’t even wanna think about it. And so, I followed my itinerary without questioning anything. Only that didn’t seem to work out quite well. Turns out, most museums are closed on Mondays and for some other places, I had to reserve my spot at least a week in advance. Long gone was the Marius who planned everything months ahead!
Mondays in Santiago
That said, I did manage to go around a few charming squares and quaint roads, and visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Cerro Santa Lucia.
Strangely enough, I found myself unbothered at being unable to follow my schedule and just went with the flow. Funny how my perspective had changed in just a few months. Had this happened way back in Mexico City, I would have surely gone mad! Now? Now I was just enjoying the very act of walking around.
When I felt I had done enough walking for the day, I had a choice to make. To add more stuff to the list and squeeze out as many experiences as I could during my final few hours in Latin America, or to make my way back to the hotel and enjoy another routine I had grown fond of – spending time in a very comfortable, very nice hotel room alone with no people, writing about all my experiences.
I went with the latter. I had to put my feelings into words. I had to enjoy my very own company as much as I could. Pretty soon, I’d be back in Malta living with my family once again. I’d be meeting up with the tons of friends that were waiting for me to come back. I’d have to sort out all kinds of things. Only God knew when the next time I’d be completely alone would be.