Free Hugs Campaign.

Spread the love and don't judge the book by its cover... It does feel good.

Spidermen made in Chile.

Glass buildings are very much in vogue here in Santiago, but when it comes to washing the windows, it's a different story. Those guys up there just seemed so comfortable, talking, working and joking at the same time. No vertigo for them, I guess.

Contain'art @ Valparaiso.

Gone for the weekend to Valparaiso, I couldn't miss this photo opportunity. Those big industrial containers painted with bright colours set up in front of the Navy Headquarters were the very unique stage for great concerts and plays. It couldn't be missed...I didn't.

Where is the bus?

Friday morning, the bus drivers must have slept in, or had a very long night because they didn't show up this morning at the bus stop. Hey guys!! some of us actually need to go to work once in a while!!

Fine Arts on the wall.

Rather than leaving those big walls grey and ugly, some artists (I must find out who they are) were contracted by the City of Santiago to make this corner a little more colourful, especially because we're talking about the metro station "Bellas Artes" which means Fine Arts. Now, you definitely can't miss it. It is so cheerful, happy-happy I just love it!

The environmental-friendly police.

A nice, warm and sunny Sunday...My street is very quiet, it must be nap-time. All I can hear are the steps of two horses on the pavement...Quite an unusual scene. I'm so used to hearing and seeing the old and very noisy buses that this short moment had a little something of my beloved French countryside. Now when it comes to real police business, I'm not sure about the horses' efficiency, but it's definitely a bit better for Santiago's polluted air.

Christmas is in the (hot) air.

30ºC, big blue sky, long sunny days and Christmas decorations...Definitely, this is gonna be a very different story this year...and I'll definitely be dreaming of a White Christmas.

Strawberries: a summer delight.

You know summer's almost here when you see those little carts at every street's corner. Sweet, small or big, but so cheap it's hard to resist! Juices, fruit salads, pies, cakes, or with champagne...what a delight!

How do you say "trick or treating" in Chilean?

Not so sure the Chileans really know what Halloween is all about, but not so sure they'd actually care to know. It just seems that as far as they are concerned, it's a perfect excuse to dress up, party, drink, and spend money. Not that they actually need an excuse...But the kids really enjoy getting out on the street at night to get free "caramelos". And so do the grown-ups...and it's an American tradition right? (or so they think) Therefore, it's gotta be good!

Joining the crusade against breast cancer.

Sunday 25th of October 2009... Thousands of people, women, men, kids, grandmothers and even dogs, gathered to support the pink cause, all around the world....The Avon Crusade against breast cancer. Walking, running, cheering, but more important, supporting. Here in Santiago, it was a great moment, with positive vibes, good music, warm sun and even warmer atmosphere.

Huasco's coal-fired powerplant.

700 kilometers north of Santiago: Huasco. A nice little town on the ocean, with its colony of pelicans, its numerous beaches, at the gates of the Atacama desert. It also has a huge coal-fired powerplant built on a small island now connected to the mainland...and a second one is on the way.

Viva Chile Mierda!

Saturday, October 10th will remain a great date in all Chileans' memories. It had been 12 years since Chile had clasified for the World Cup. Old ones, young ones, sober ones and drunkens all went to Plaza Italia to get together, party, sing, climb up traffic lights...sensing that there probably won't be much more to celebrate after that...A big achievement anyway, and Pride & Patriotism are two things Chileans are good at...

Shiny shoes on a sunny day.

Nothing like having your shoes polished while reading your newspapers, before getting to work. The "lustrador de zapatos" can be found in every street, at every corner downtown Santiago, and represent an important part of Chile's living heritage.

Marching against discrimination.

"Con pituto es justo"? What is "Pituto"? in Chilensis, it basically sums up the concept of being hired because you're the friend of a friend who knows the boss... in French "copinage"...
Chile is a country very well known for that...If you don't know anyone, you basically can't get anywhere professionnally... and it is really worse than you can imagine, trust me.

October sky over the Cordillera.

Great contrast, a little bit of snow, big blug sky and full moon, on the first of October in Santiago.

Bye bye Santiago's Teleferico.

It was one of Santiago's favourites! Too bad for those who never had the opportunity to ride it to the top of Cerro San Cristobal. It's been shut down for unlimited time, in order to be repaired, checked...But who are they kidding? Authorities are talking 8 months minimum...which means it will never be seen in Santiago's sky again. Que lastima...

On a cold and very colourful Saturday.

I said I would go, and I went. And even though it was a small parade, it was full of happiness, music, craziness, tolerance, girls looking like boys, boys looking like women, boys holding hands, girls kissing...and everybody dancing, and hoping for a better understanding from their own people. Chile may look very modern from the outside, it remains very middle-age on the inside when it comes to any topic related to their society. The path is long, narrow and sinous...

Santiago's Rainbow Flag up.

I haven't heard anyone or read any newspapers say a word about this event. That says it all about Chilean's way of dealing with things that are not considered here as "normal", whatever that means.

I'll be there anyway.

Fiestas Patrias.

Chilean traditional costumes. It is mandatory for high school students to dance, and at least once, the national "Cueca". And in costumes, of course!

Let there be music.

On a sunny day, getting ready to celebrate "el dieciocho" (18), Chilean's Independance Day. Santiago's Orphans Band took it away on Plaza de Armas. Classical and classic tunes, and a cheering audience to welcome Spring and its warmer days.