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Feb.6 cont.  Clouds over the plains but great views of Andes - glaciers, cds Aconcagua. Landed at Santiago - a flat valley w. poplars lining roads .. To Hotel Monte Carlo, a cylindrical bldg w. funny little pie-shaped rooms. quite street across from Carre Santa Lucia -- the only feature Darwin like in Santiago. Check in ~ 1:45 & took half an hour to shower & change blouses - [[??]] to [[?]] animals. Hot in Santiago. All met @ 2:15 to go out to change money. Followed Bill to ctr. of town where ultimately a group of money changers gathered around. He stood around as prices went up & finally picked one & we all followed him up stairs to an office where black market deals made. Jeff & I decided to pass, this time, & went to look for bank. All closed at 2:00, but one cambio shop at corner where changers congregate. We went in, expecting much paper work but got none. A young make took $100. U.S. from me ... went out back and came back w 13500 pesos. The sign in shop said rate was 30 .. he offered 135 w no question [Bill got 138 for cash & 132 for T.checks] Jeff got 135 for Tr checks, but they did take his passport No. Out into streets w money. to Bookstore for bird books. Big in Eng. on small & incomplete in Spanish - didn't take it. To optical store & bought mom's dark glasses for $30. Back toward hotel & carre. Climbed [[?]] - a lovely gladed place w walks & stops & benches - balustrades, fountains, statues - full of young lovers. Birds - sparrow-like - chestnut & dark backs. Black & white striped heads w crests. white throats, chesnut band on back of neck. in succulents on ground. ^[[columnar basalt lying at angle]] Bright sun - hot day. climbed to top & all around. Back to foot at mural commemorating Gabriela Mistral, met Lois & Jeff still well en route to CEMA store. Forgot to say we stopped for beer & pepsi down town & asked for Chilean craft store. got souvenir shop of worst kind. CEMA on Av. Portugal - long walk but lovely bldg. in park & sev. rooms of interesting crafts. Light blue & white pottery, v. gay & bright. Copper excellent. (bought small cup w enamel lid). No sweaters.