thanks for the info. i have been there before(july 98), but i also did not have the time to go to the coast, and i wanted to add that to the trip this time. i'm glad to hear the bus is about $4. continental vactaions wanted about $85 each way, and i knew if things were that expensive in chile, there wouldn't be a resort community.

as for accomodations, i couldn't remember the name of my hotel, but i do believe it was near one of those upscale communities. i do remember that i was one block behind one of the main drage with a big shopiing mall. also there were a couple of fast food places, and then a gleaming hotel with a couple of restaurants nearby. it was right on the red subway line about six stops from downtown. is this area providencia or las condes? in any case, i booked the hotel at the airport so i could try that again, but i figured it might be a little tougher in summer than in winter.

and as for the $45 entry fee, that threw me for a loop. i was the last person off the plan from buenos aires and clearly the only american. i was so perturbed about being shuffled off to the other line, and then being charged $45US for something that wasn't a visa...just a fee you had to pay to enter the country!!! (if it costs as much as a visa, and acts like a visa...) but obviouslly, i'm not upset enough to not ever go back again.

at this point, i think my travel dates will be the 16-21 of february. i'll definitely be interested in getting some local perspective. last time i met a guy from montreal who was born in santiago, and his family left when he was eight, and returned when he was 32. who knew there was such an extensive chilean community in montreal? god, that's why i love travel.

[This message has been edited by lonman (edited 02-03-2000).]