Sunbeams in Santiago

At this time of year, when your days in the northern hemisphere are growing by seconds a day, we’re all bundling up a little tighter in the evenings, putting a kettle on and otherwise hunkering down for longer, fall evenings. On the one hand, I hate to think of the long winter that lies ahead (and I’m being hyperbolic, because the weather in Santiago is never that bad). But on the other hand, I love autumn, and I’ve even grown to love autumn in the southern hemisphere. We get more beans, more squash, more broccoli and soups like delicious caldillo de congrio (conger eel soup) with bread and salsa-like pebre.

And we get people playing soccer in the park in the dying light of the afternoon. Perfect.

Photo from Parque Quinta Normal, a safe urban park accessible at the green line metro station Quinta Normal, just minutes from central Santiago, and a few blocks from the lively and creative Santiago Library. The children’s artspace Artequín is just outside the park and the outdoor Railroad Museum lets you engage with your inner conductor. The Museum of Natural History is also in the park and Museum of Science and Technology is right nearby. Or you can do what the locals do, and rent a pedleable surrey with a fringe on the top and tool around the park, cotton candy in hand, or try your feet at the pedal boats, if that’s more your speed.