Plaza de Armas

The Plaza de Armas is where the Spanish first settled when they founded Santiago.  Many of the conquistadors made their homes around this plaza.  So there is alot of history surrounding this plaza.  It is in the center of down town Santiago.  Unfortunately most of the buildings from the 1500's and 1600's have been destoyed by earthquake and fire.  But there are still several buildings that are there from the 1700's and early 1800's.  The cathedral is beautiful and the other older buildings are now governement offices, such as the main post office (which is a loose term here, the postal system is still a mystery to me).
We took the metro downtown, which was a fun experience for the kids (and adults too).  Walked around the plaza and into the cathedral.  Saw artists, carbinaros (police) on horseback, and locals playing chess in the veranda.  Walked by the fish market and tried to see the train station, but there was a huge private party there (which we were told is the only time this year the train station was closed, of course the one day we go).  I guess we'll have to go back. 

On the subway

I didn't notice when I took the picture that Mason had stuffed a whole granola bar in his mouth at one time.  Chubby Bunny anyone?

The old and the new.