Valparaiso- The Window With A View

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Chiles flagPublished: December 8th 2007South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso
December 8th 2007

Arriving to Santiago after a 12 hour flight travelling back in time.... I spent pretty much my first day sleeping. Which wasnt good as it messed up my sleeping pattern for the next day too.

I finally dragged myself out off bed to try and venture through the city of Santiago, First impression not what i´d expected. It wasnt as poor as i´d imagine, the people was ever so well dressrd and you could see clearly they took pride in their apperance.
It was definitely too smoggy the mountain range is very nearby but you can bearly see it through the smog.

As lucky as i am something was happening on town.. Music is playing all around me, people dancing young and old, performance are held in closed of streets it was such a nice atmosphere.
Even with so much fun happening after my big lunch.. seafood soup and seabass with avacado salad and 2 glasses of wine and bless the waitor, a free shot of the local Pisco Sour..I had to head back to the hostel for a lie down. The heat and being that stuff did it for me.

The Next day..with only 5 days left
A spot of traditional dancing.A spot of traditional dancing.
A spot of traditional dancing.

Was so lucky...the streets was full of music and people dancing on the streets.
to go i couldnt really go anywhere too far which was a shame as i would have loved to have gone to Pucon and compare the volcano and national park trek to New Zealand.

Valparaiso it is...2 hours away from Santiago , A charming port town with houses stacking up tightly up this hilly town. It really was as it was described in the book and surely was worth staying there. If i had planned to stay longer it would have ben a perfect places to learn Spanish and get the paint brush out for a dabble.
The Panoramic view of Valparaiso from the Poet " Pablo Neruda" house up on the hill was fantastic and stumbling across a local bar down the hill pumping with loud music in the early afternoon gave us a great opportunity to enjoy a nice cheap cold beer with Reut, discussing all the great experience we have gained from our travels so far and how its changed our perspective.

Vina De Mar - A cleaner and greener town further up from Valparaiso was also a nice day. Silly us thought the bus driver was going to let us know when to get
Cerro Santa LuciaCerro Santa Lucia
Cerro Santa Lucia

Now some architecture!!!
off..hmmmm...nope we ended up getting off at some random plav and having lunch trying some local dishes, It was great to have found someone who like myself love the unpredictable and is not phased by things and just simply making the most of the situation and see the poasitive in the a negative.

Returning back to Santiago, having lunch at my cafe i went to on my first night, been greeted by the same waitor who recognised you and gives you that friendly warm smile and make small talk.
Here i loved...sat out side on my own, people watching, passer by greeting you with a smile, the waitor saying goodbye to his girlfriend (this was a beautiful picture..i´d looked up from writing my journal and there they where at the doorway chatting she was in this cute red dress and him in black with his funky cool moustach..loke in the movies), I ended up having the cutiest stray dog curling up at my chair sleeping and would warn off any beggars who came close.

I could keep rambling on..but i should go to bed i have to be up in 4 hours to catch my flight to Peru
Some fresh Seafood and WineSome fresh Seafood and Wine
Some fresh Seafood and Wine

Chile has great wine and fresh seafood is always a treat.
and this poor girl is still waiting to use the internet after me.





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Chung Le
Only 6 days to go!!!...OH MY GOD!!...Still cant believe im doing this. Well I better now, after the Big SUPRISE Party you all threw for me...NICE ON GUYS!!!...didn't realise how much you wanted to get rid of me :) ... full info
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Prior to the coming of the Spanish in the 16th century, northern Chile was under Inca rule while Araucanian Indians inhabited central and southern Chile; the latter were not completely subjugated until the early 1880s. Although Chile declared its ind...more info
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Valparaiaso AscensoresValparaiaso Ascensores
Valparaiaso Ascensores

At first the dirty, run down alleyways and scuffy appearance leaves you feeling a little weary but After spending a few days here. The scary old Ascensores(elevator) combining with the irregular building and steep hilly street is what make this places so beautiful and charming that if i had the time i would have love to paint it.
The uphill kills me but i love it!!The uphill kills me but i love it!!
The uphill kills me but i love it!!

My hostel is too the left. Casa Aventura...a lovely cosy hostel which knew how to bring travellers together with thier "Big Breakfast Table"
That Reut!!That Reut!!
That Reut!!

From Isreal.. A beautiful Young girl who is AWAKE!!.. was so lovely chatting to her about her country, The Service they all have to do, her perspective and new found outlook on life.
Ah..Its great to find someone who loves trying new things.Ah..Its great to find someone who loves trying new things.
Ah..Its great to find someone who loves trying new things.

Not saying Local Completos (hot dogs) and french fries covered in what o think..sausage,beef,tomatoes and egg, is the healthiest but as they say "when in Rome" . Funnily Chile, well Santiago and Vaparaiso reminds me of Italy. Rome & Venice. People are so well dressed, effectionate openly on the street, the winding narrow alley ways. Its just so romatic and colourful !!!
Club De JazzClub De Jazz
Club De Jazz

Latin America most estabalished Jazz Venue...couldnt miss it!!!... Again we´re so lucky caught a Blues Night which dooesnt happen often. They was so great and full of energy and Life. Jamming away!!!...whilst i´d sip on my wine.
Plaza De ArmasPlaza De Armas
Plaza De Armas

This places is great, strolling and admiring artist at work, relaxing on a bench and watching people, shoe polisher at work, tourist snapping away, rushing through, street performance drawing the crowds. Really was nice spending the whole afternoon there doing absolutely nothing.






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