Policemen on parade and other Santiago, Chile Local Custom Tips

At 10 am every other day, Plaza de la Constitucion -the square in front of La Moneda - is filled with ranks of very smartly turned out jack-booted police as a Changing of the Presidential Guard is acted out to the sound of a brass band and a a smattering of clapping from thel crowd that gathers around the low barriers. What with the band, mounted troopers and the outgoing and incoming guard, they put on a good show. This being Chile, the odd stray dog is never far away and likely to join the marchers.

There's lots of heel-snapping and rifle slapping but despite this and the military uniforms (the afore-said jackboots, riding breeches and caps that pay more than a passing nod to 1940's German style) and the arm-swinging march, these guys are an elite branch of the Carabineros - the paramilitary police force, not the army. They're all volunteers, well-educated and highly trained who enjoy considerable respect both in Chile and throughout South America. There's more than a few women among them - officers included.

Once the ceremony is over, the barricades are removed and the inner courtyards of La Moneda is open to visitors.

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