Today, we would finally get to see some of Santiago. Our group was heading to a downtown produce market for a walking field trip before we flew to our next base for exploring, Puerto Varas.
La Vega produce market is very large, very noisy, and full of activity. This is where the local folks shop and there are small cafes, many vendors selling all sorts of produce, and even small convenience stores.
There was also a meat market attached that we walked rapidly through. The smell was a little intense, but not as much as the fish market we were headed to next.
We had an empanada lunch at a restaurant next to the market and headed on to the airport to catch our flight. This was the first of a few internal flights we took.
Our bus was waiting for us when we landed in Puerto Montt and we drove to a local farmhouse restaurant that was owned by our guide, Marcelo, and his family. While his family prepared our traditional meal of clams, mussels, ham, chicken, potatoes and vegetables all layered and cooked together, Marcelo told us about the indigenous people of Chile—the Mapuche. Marcelo is Mapuche and is very proud of his heritage and his strong family ties. Dinner was served in a building on his property that was built specifically for communal celebrations.
All that was left to do was to drive to the nearby town of Port Varas, check into the hotel and get a good night’s rest. The view from our room was outstanding.
The Macs’ Big Adventure 