Welsh David's South America: 16 to 19 January 2017

I have not done very much since returning to Santiago except looking for a knee support as I’ve hurt my right knee somehow and have advised Dragoman (the truck overland company for the next part of the trip from Santiago to Quito) of the problem and they have arranged that I will go to Machu Picchu by train instead of having to walk. I did a ‘free’ (just tip the guide what you think, usually a student) walk round the main Santiago fish, fruit and vegetable markets as well as the main cemetery here.
Mercado Central Market was built in 1872 with the cast iron centre piece being made in Glasgow Scotland. The fish were very fresh and thee smells of the food cooking were mouth watering.

Market entrance

Scottish roof

Fish counters

Restaurants prepared for lunch

The fruit and vegetable markets were not far away though a lot of fruit was for sale at the side of the road and the smell of the peaches was overwhelming.

Strawberries

Various fruits

Fruit stall

Watermelons on the roadside

The small group of tourists I was with then caught the metro to the main cemetery for Santiago. This was started to be used in 1821, has two million burials, is the size of 117 football pitches with room for more burials. The plots or vaults vary in size depending on the wealth of the family with many relatives put into one vault (I counted twelve names on one vault). The cemetery is treated like a park with people being allowed to cycle through, have parties there and even take girlfriends there for walks!