Greetings from Chillan Chile 

A six hour deluxe bus trip down the Panamerican Highway through mile after mile of tree farms got me to the small town of Chillan about 400 kilometers south of Santiago. Toll booths along the Pan-American highway stop vehicles about every hour or so and extract fees ranging from $1.40 to $3.20; buses pay double. Chillan is an orderly community where  people live their lives at a considerably slower pace than those in Santiago. Rarely did I get jostled in the busy commercial areas. During my few days wandering around the city I saw not a single beggar!  The city suffered enormous casualties in January 1939 when a major earthquake destroyed the city. As many as 36,000 people were killed. To commemorate the disaster a monument in the shape of a 36 meter tall crucifix was erected next to the cathedral on the Plaza de Armas. 

In addition to several modern shopping centers, there is a block long pedestrian mall and numerous producers markets near the center selling fresh produce or meats. Some blocks contain stores restricting their merchandise to a single product line: hardware in this block, auto supplies in this or shoes in another. It occurred to me what an eminently sensible arrangement for people who like to comparison shop. No need to jump in your car and drive all over town to visit several stores. Going anywhere in the city means starting off in a single direction. Within five blocks of the Plaza de Armas all streets are one way.  

I am on my way to Puerto Montt at the northern end of the extensive Chilean archipelago in the south. Stopping at a couple small cities along the way broke the long trip into several shorter ones and provided opportunities to see a bit more of the country. From Puerto Montt I will go island hopping for what promises to be my most challenging adventure so far. The guide books do not recommend the most arduous treks for the faint hearted or physically unfit. There is the possibility of a visit to Antarctica as well, should the timing prove favorable.

Peace,
Fred L Bellomy

 

Chillan Chile: Base of the monument in the Plaza de Armas.

 

 

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