Day 11

For May 18, 2011

Today, we are going to Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago or the Santiago Stock Exchange. This is my group's (Chelsea, Jon and me) "business." We were up bright and early for our nearly 2 hour bus ride to Santiago. This was the first time since we were at the airport that we in Santiago, Chile's capital. It seemed like as soon as I was seated, I fell asleep. We all kinda did. I woke up as we were being driven around Chile. We were warned not to look totally "touristy" because we could get our cameras stolen among other things. Soon we got off the bus and walked for a couple blocks. The streets were crowded with all sorts of people - some lined up a long counters at coffee bars with coffee makers scattered throughout the room for coffee breaks for the local business  people, some resting on benches, some selling newspapers or crafts, some briskly walking to get to their next location. We passed several enticing coffee / pastry shops.

Once we got to Bolsa. It seemed kind of demure. We got in, took an elevator, and filed into a plush conference room fitted with a projection screen and prominent flags at the head table. A woman who works in the Planning and Development Department introduced herself and the company. She apologized for the fact that we would not be able to visit the trading floor due to it being under construction. Her presentation wasn't long at all. She also introduced an engineer who was there to answer our questions. At the end, we took a picture with a picture of the trading floor and went down to the lobby. Camilo talked to the guard to see if we could just take a peak at the trading floor, but the door we locked with chains to so we could open the doors just enough to see maids cleaning. Just like that our company tour was over. We feel uneasy about whether we have enough information to pull off a good presentation and poster. All in all, we did learn about the stock exchange. The most interesting thing, for me, was the (online) electronic trading platforms they use. Because of them, many traders choose to do their business elsewhere like in their office, but some traders still come to Bolsa to conduct their business. I can see that Bolsa wants to be the best at their game . It will do that by seizing expansion opportunities and constantly trying to improve.

We went on a mini tour of the local area including La Moneda (where presidents stay, comparable to the White House), Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago (Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago) and el Museo Historico Nacional (the National History Museum). We couldn't go inside La Moneda, but we definitely took pictures outside, near the fountains and guards. Dozens of middle school-aged kids wanted to take pictures with our group. They were especially excited to interact with us. I can understand why though, they are not familiar with foreigners and it is exciting. They have the same excitement as I do when I walk around snapping photos and falling in love with cultural aspects different from mine...though I don't go snapping pictures with / of strangers...  The cathedral was really ornate. There were various rooms for prayer, and so many statues and things. The National History Museum was alright kind of rigid and antiquated. I liked the clothes like a woman's dress from the 18th century and some military jackets. They are quite fashionable. 


Santiago seems like a much faster paced city than Valparaiso and Vina. It wasn't hard to tell that millions of people live there. I would have liked to experience more of it. Javier, a USM student, said that the nightclubs there are much more fun, but things become more dangerous and more people who target tourists are there. 


Soon, we went to Mercado Central (the Central Market). Walking in, we stepped in two puddles of seawater from the tons of fresh seafood vendors had in crates on tables. About 15 feet later, through a narrow hall, we reached a huge room where restaurants, dining tables, stands and kiosks filled my line of vision. They were everywhere. We went to Donde Augusto. It is a hotspot so much that they have a display case for things signed and left behind by many famous people. It was nice. I ordered the grilled Chilean sea bass with pure (mashed potatoes). While waiting, I dived into the fresh bread and pebre, a Chilean salsa made of finely diced onion, tomato, coriander/cilantro, olive oil, garlic and aji peppers (we had it almost eveywhere). It all was delicious!! 


Soon we all got back on the bus and went back to the hotel. What a day!


Of course, we all got ready and went out all night!! I actually went back early. I'm tired!!


Well, good night / morning!


~Briana