Pueblito Los Dominicanos

Greetings from south of the equator! As we reach the final countdown for our time here in South America (cue the sad music) we had some time today to shop for friends, family, and ourselves. 

After our business meeting this morning with Wayra, an entrepreneur accelerator in Santiago, we traveled to a place on the outskirts of Santiago called, "Pueblito Los Dominicanos". This area originated as a Catholic Church where merchants would go on weekends to sell their goods. Over time, as the success of the area grew, the merchants began to work throughout the entirety of the week and it transformed into a stable marketplace. Approximately 25 years ago Pueblito Los Dominicanos became an official establishment where each seller has their own space in adobe homes in order to showcase their finest handmade products. I talked to Kevin who thought the interaction with the shop owners was the most intriguing part of the stop. "From shop to shop, they were very friendly and accommodating with the American dollar when we lacked the Chilean peso," he said. In regard to price, it varies from store to store, however the high quality of the products is often reflected in a higher price.

The entrance to Pueblito Los Dominicanos
Hola Profesora Gomez!

Upon entering Pueblito Los Dominicanos, the rich culture that comprises Chile is immediately felt.  Each shop has a unique flare, whether it be leather, woodwork, ceramic, knit, copper, paint, etc., and the talent that these craftsmen and craftswomen have is incredible and one of a kind. The attention to detail in each product is prominent, and often times, is made within the walls of their quaint shops. 

One of the ally ways in the village

After meandering around the village of shops for some time, a lunch break was long overdue. A few friends and I stopped at a cafe for a bite to eat where we enjoyed a Latin American favorite, empanadas. Holly even said that she had to have her last bite of empanada before she left for the states, so the decision was easy. Following lunch, we wasted no time, and got right back to shopping.

  

Overall, it was a very successful pit stop in the middle of our busy day. Marta worded the experience perfectly, beyond really liking it, she continued to say, "There were a lot of artisan crafts and it seemed more genuine than other shopping opportunities we have had on the whole SIE trip."  A bonus, we were able to pick up some last minute gifts for loved ones back home before our quickly approaching departure, all while further immersing ourselves in the rich Chilean culture. 

Some of the girls showing off their purchases
From left to right: Maggie, Katie, Emily, Taylor, Holly, Ale

And now off to our next stop, the Santiago Stock Exchange!