Unemployed & Unimpeded: Pit Stop in Santiago

We arrived in Santiago after a quick two hour drive from Valparaiso. We didn't have much time to spend there since we had a flight south to catch. The immediate impression of Santiago is that you've arrived in a bustling European city. After talking to some locals, they admit that they like it that way. The architecture is very neoclassical with long columns and imposing buildings everywhere. The center of the city is separated by the fast-flowing Mapocho river which is accompanied by a park on both sides. The city felt like a real taste of home, with prices to match. Huge modern malls offered all the same items you could find in the states, and plenty of bars and restaurants had a distinct American feel. It was a great city to relax in for a few days, but three was enough to get a taste and then move on.