Here we are at last. Almost exactly a year later. And my 20th post on the most pristine trip of all: Patagonia. (The real accolades go to Walker for getting through editing and selecting, unsung hero of this wee blog!) We weren't in Santiago long, because we really used the city as a launch pad to see Valparaiso and the vineyards, but we were glad our travel agents didn't suggest longer there because it wasn't as designed for tourism as Buenos Aires.
![20181201_122139-_Z7A4446 20181201_122139-_Z7A4446](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/4e18c761229f14b95ef1863ad271be2e/20181201_122139-_Z7A4446-900x900.jpg)
We stayed at the Singular, and we were very glad we did. Exceptionally professional service all around, and beautiful lobbies. On my last day there, I had a migraine after we had checked out. They invited me to sleep in a private room in the spa, use cool wash clothes, and feel better. It was a lifesaver.
![20181130_180529-_Z7A4274 20181130_180529-_Z7A4274](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/adbc4f77dee75406bd57829011ec6efe/20181130_180529-_Z7A4274-900x900.jpg)
Directly across the street, we discovered a gluten free pastry shop. Fresh empanadas were such a treat.
![20181130_180857-_Z7A4276 20181130_180857-_Z7A4276](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/c342665d2038691ca826e2105f8696dc/20181130_180857-_Z7A4276-900x900.jpg)
The jacardas were blooming in Santiago, just as they had in Buenos Aires.
![20181130_182124-_Z7A4293 20181130_182124-_Z7A4293](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/c9c551243466e15c0d0ca52a30a34730/20181130_182124-_Z7A4293-900x900.jpg)
And the New York reference game was strong. Here's a shop called Nolita.
![20181130_182801-_Z7A4297 20181130_182801-_Z7A4297](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/02442e91dae826c36001222a1240607d/20181130_182801-_Z7A4297-900x900.jpg)
![20181130_183138-_Z7A4310 20181130_183138-_Z7A4310](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9ea7e2461c27d7130ebbdeff1aed2879/20181130_183138-_Z7A4310-900x900.jpg)
I believe this was a museum of modern art, which was endlessly fascinating to gawk at.
![20181130_183625-_Z7A4313 20181130_183625-_Z7A4313](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/e06c4323a256952b6f909b60c8647aff/20181130_183625-_Z7A4313-900x900.jpg)
Yet another pigeon portrait. See: last post.
![20181130_184128-_Z7A4319 20181130_184128-_Z7A4319](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/af36f2059e818b901337520f8fda8c25/20181130_184128-_Z7A4319-900x900.jpg)
The Lastarria neighborhood was certainly a huge highlight, craftspeople selling alongside the street, fun to be had everywhere.
![20181130_184435-_Z7A4322 20181130_184435-_Z7A4322](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/e9c62a2e9af845c1fa90c8687b414553/20181130_184435-_Z7A4322-900x900.jpg)
![20181130_193650-_Z7A4328 20181130_193650-_Z7A4328](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9aa8907a2060705b62f9268d8e917d5c/20181130_193650-_Z7A4328-900x900.jpg)
![20181201_110927-_Z7A4398 20181201_110927-_Z7A4398](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a6982527ee1af32143c76f29b8f13eb6/20181201_110927-_Z7A4398-900x900.jpg)
I had requested time in local markets, so our guide, Felipe, took us to see the Vega Central. Let me tell you: not for tourists. See Felipe protecting us from our feet getting run over?
![20181201_105309-_Z7A4376 20181201_105309-_Z7A4376](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/6273aa6bc70c91c82e04356af9cb80fc/20181201_105309-_Z7A4376-900x900.jpg)
The market was tight and crammed, and there was not room for people who wanted photos and to look at . . . anything.
![20181201_103640-_Z7A4357 20181201_103640-_Z7A4357](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/2faa2e1fe712bf12e9884b9a7d7aaf11/20181201_103640-_Z7A4357-900x900.jpg)
![20181201_103329-_Z7A4351 20181201_103329-_Z7A4351](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/9ba6bc81ccb5a0c79be3510a4a7eb870/20181201_103329-_Z7A4351-900x900.jpg)
![20181201_103022-_Z7A4340 20181201_103022-_Z7A4340](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/3f61682d028f33763042ec875b0ae8fe/20181201_103022-_Z7A4340-900x900.jpg)
Honestly, I have no idea how Walker took any photos with the constant elbowing and shimmying around carts.
Later, we did a flyby tour of 'the sights', and it was a weekend, so everything was closed,
![20181201_120400-_Z7A4442 20181201_120400-_Z7A4442](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/a2ea2db1af63a489001b03ca9f56e26c/20181201_120400-_Z7A4442-900x900.jpg)
except the cathedral.
![20181201_115655-_Z7A4439 20181201_115655-_Z7A4439](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/fabc48deeca93d7f77aed2120beaaced/20181201_115655-_Z7A4439-900x900.jpg)
![20181201_114859-_Z7A4435 20181201_114859-_Z7A4435](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/e6ff8fa4d0d29550e13b078a1f173de1/20181201_114859-_Z7A4435-900x900.jpg)
We went out of our way to go to another local market, this time expressing that we wanted to buy gifts. Felipe was torn, but took us to one which was pleasingly near the hotel and this hilly park,
![20181201_125705-_Z7A4450 20181201_125705-_Z7A4450](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/bd2d53bff2acb404313b719fa5a0e863/20181201_125705-_Z7A4450-900x900.jpg)
but filled with non-local kitsch. Oh well.
![20181201_125759-_Z7A4451 20181201_125759-_Z7A4451](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/3f039edb4550908c21f391d114d9cf0f/20181201_125759-_Z7A4451-900x900.jpg)
A surprise highlight was the gathering of Walker's fave pup, Golden Retrievers.
![20181201_122739-_Z7A4447 20181201_122739-_Z7A4447](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/28bb77e411ab077d3ecf9a4e73c02cc1/20181201_122739-_Z7A4447-900x900.jpg)
The joy of this city was just the real life: the dogs, the gluten free snacks, meeting new friends, and the hidden gems of restaurants (we loved Borago and the restaurant in Singular)
![20181201_112229-_Z7A4413 20181201_112229-_Z7A4413](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/cf7a7928199bce400819cf7d057efa94/20181201_112229-_Z7A4413-900x900.jpg)
![20181130_200127-_Z7A4335 20181130_200127-_Z7A4335](https://media.walkandalie.com/images/6338e435baeac8a32970083afc838b8a/20181130_200127-_Z7A4335-900x900.jpg)