Day 3

Today was our first day using the Metro system in Santiago. Interesting to compare Santiago to Toronto. The two Greater Municipal Areas are about the same size and have a comparable number of inhabitants. Santiago’s system is about 3 times bigger, but the cost to ride it is less than half what we pay in The Big Smoke. The price is even lower if you ride in off-peak hours. It’s also clean and very efficient – and they offer cooling misters blowing down on patrons waiting for trains, in case you find the ambient temperature too warm. 

There’s also different forms of engagement on the Metro. People are actively selling cold water, beverages, band-aids, and more. Like in NYC, there are “spontaneous” performances by those looking to practice their art form and do some personal crowd funding.

The most noteworthy aspect of the Metro, and Santiago in general, is the level of openness of the citizens. Without fail, people came up to us (okay, they only talked to Truus) to ask if we needed help and if we were okay. On our way to the Museum this morning, a woman sitting next to Truus struck up a conversation (in Spanish) with Truus. She advised us where to get off, and to be careful of pickpockets. She then gifted Truus with an armband for protection, “Wear this, it will keep you safe.” No mention of this being a multi-soul armband, so my only hope, I guess, is to stick close to Truus. Sounds like a plan.