Friday was a landmark day for us in Chile.... It was our first of several required trips to the police station and other government buildings to get proper documentation to stay in the country longer than our tourist visas allow.  There is a church member here who is a taxi driver, who has "fine tuned" the art of navigating the system for LDS missionaries.  He drives missionaries to the various buildings, leads them through the maze of lines and people to the correct office and desk that is needed.
       For some unknown reason when we were on the plane the stewards passed out a form to be filled out for each passenger.  Richard says he asked and was told "one per family", but after arriving in country we found out we both needed that piece of paper.  So I needed to go to the police station to fill out a form and have it stamped.  One of the other missionaries had lost her "carne" card which is the national ID card (that's what we are all working toward), so we went to a different office and line for her.  And another missionary went to pick up her carne card -- only to be told her paper work had been lost and she must start the process over again -- that means another day of standing in several lines at several buildings!
       On a brighter note, we went to dinner at the most amazing seafood buffet that we've ever seen!  We're already planning a return visit.

     Saturday Richard and I took the metro to Santa Lucia, which is a beautiful park, trails and an old fortress/church overlooking the city.  As we exited the metro we heard music and shouting and saw a parade coming up the street -- at least we thought it was a parade  -- until we realized it was a political protest.  In the front of the parade were Mapuchi Indians dressed in native costume.  Further back, however it looked more like college-age protesters.  The police were lined along both sides of the road.
      Richard didn't want us to get caught up in a protest, so we circled wide around and went up the hill overlooking the ruckus.   We watched as the parade rounded the corner and when it was out of sight, the bands and music stopped and the shouting became very loud.  We watched the police dressed in riot gear baracade the road and armoured vehicles pulled into position as the police walked up the road.  What happened beyond where we could see we don't know, but it was obvious that the police disbanded the protest and within a short time things quieted down.

The line outside the police station -- the line was much longer inside!

The most amazing seafood buffet we've ever seen.

Santa Lucia

Skyline of Santiago

Another direction of Skyline view -- Andes in background (behind the smog)

Carabinero's ending the protest

Santa Lucia

More scenes at Santa Lucia

Gates of Santa Lucia and one of the thousands of street dogs of Santiago -- this one reminded us of Gus!