Santiago Central, Lastarria, Vicuna Mackenna, Plaza Italia and Life on the Streets

Hi again folks, this past week, I wandered on my bike through the barrio of Lastarria which is a famous artist neighborhood right next to the Santa Lucia in Central Santiago. I was inspired by a documentary about a British photojournalist that captured many great images of people. So, my emphasis on portraits. I also took some video of the downtown area on another shaky bike ride amongst the traffic and a trip up calle Vicuna Mackenna with lots of cool buildings and sites finishing at Plaza Italia a tourist spot and local meeting spot for partying nights, protests and celebrations.
Enjoy!

A cool couple that were working on a university project about why people like this neighborhood. Of course, that opened the way for me to ask for their image. 

 This man and his wife were vending the items below and enjoying a typical Chilean lunch of tomato, avocado, onions and bread.

This was the Artist Mario and he loved to hang out, eat ice cream and chat up passer buyers.

All streets in Santiago seem to have a fruit vendor who are usually very nice and humble people like this fellow here who was very happy and proud to have his picture taken with his fruit stand.

These construction workers were working inside the old building turning it into

a new restaurant and were happy to take a picture while on break outside the building.

My bike ride down Calle San Antinio

The graffiti is of Don Francisco who is a famous Chilean actor/journalist that has made his fame around the Latin world and especially in the United States with a varsity show.

 This is the old American embassy where during the Pinochet era they would occasionally receive a grenade or two over the wall for helping Pinochet over through the lawfully elected president Allende.

calle Vicuna Mackenna

calle Vicuna Mackenna with Plaza Italia

 These images were taken in the Plaza Italia where most political protests start or finish and where any major sporting event is celebrated upon victory. It is also a general meeting spot for locals and tourist to head out in all direction of the city on a weekend night. 

These two young folks were happy to have their picture taken.... well he was as he came over to me

to introduce himself as a fellow photographer. 

 Local police officer (carabinerio) helps woman with directions. They do not call the police cops here but pacos.

Santiago has made good stride in improving the bicycle infrastructure for the city and have made bike lanes here all over the place. Many Santiago residence use these lanes including me.

They have also installed these bike rental locations throughout the city and people seem to love them.

There seems to be a general respect for cyclist here in Santiago and people do not get angry when people ride on sidewalks as they know how dangerous the streets are. 

I spotted this cool church towards the end of my ride. I looked on a map and all over the church it's self but could not find the name of it. At any rate, it is on Vicuna Mackenna calle.

 Gargoyles are still 'in' on this building.