today i went to "la vega", santiago's central market area, where you can buy the freshest and widest range of vegetables, meats, and seafood...alongside the most random trinkets and handicrafts. the place is absolutely chaotic. it's packed with overflowing stalls, as well as these cramped little kitchens, where you can get cheap, delicious, and piping hot chilean food straight from the hands of the motherly women who operate them. it's quite a scene...and the only place i've been able to find all the random ingredients i need for my cooking (see: chinese food). i think i'll be frequenting it quite often.