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Background: 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 independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-84), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern lands. A three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, maintained consistently since the 1980s, have contributed to steady growth and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

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By SeamusandTash
November 1st 2008

And so into Chile...a visit to Valparaiso

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

The road into Chile...

We actually hadn't intended on spending more than a couple of days in Chile but as we had reached our final destination of Mendoza and had squeezed all we could out of the town we decided to cross the border. The bus ride over the Andes to the town of Valapairso (an hour from Santiago) was really spectacular and well worth a few photos out the bus window. The border crossing was much quicker than the previous palarvar of going to Ushuaia and as Argentina disappeared into the distance we felt sad to be leaving. Valparaiso is a town that we [View Full Entry]

By Lisa Sciarani
October 26th 2008

It is sad when you get reminders to log in...

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

Yah... So I don't even think anyone reads this. Pero igual... Tomorrow is voting day apparently, so everything that sells alcohol closes at 12 tonight. Of course, as an expat there is no problem because we'll just do what we always do. Go to someone's house, make dinner, play some music, sing some songs til 4am... Wow, I'm on couchsurfing.com and there's a poor guy in Berkely with the last name Hyman. I miss kombucha. Real bad. Oh, and the latest South Park was great. At least with the Peruvian Pan Flute bands... I am loving that music here. Also, I'm [View Full Entry]

By Dr Pepper
October 25th 2008

¿Dónde está Brian? Brian está en la cocina!

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

Photo 1

Valparaiso and Spanish School Loving Valparaiso, it’s a crazy city, a large port, flanked by a small, flat commercial and business area, behind which the Cerro’s, or hills stretch up around the city. To climb these hills is a choice between a calf burning hike up winding streets or a cheap ride up one of the many “ascencores”, rail cars, that climb up almost vertical slopes, some of which are (and look) over a 100 years old. Either way, it is well worth it for the spectacular views down through the streets of brightly coloured houses and down to the bay. [View Full Entry]

By Dr Pepper
October 23rd 2008

Still figuring this stuff out

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

Photo 1

so please imagine the hold music and here are some pictures....... [View Full Entry]

By mark and chrissie
October 23rd 2008

Valpo - the Town of Colour

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

Valpo

Day 574 (23.10.08) Today was a day to explore the arty port town of Valparaiso (or Valpo for short) but before we could get going with yet another day of pounding the streets, we had to finalise travel plans going North. Unfortunately we couldnt go directly from Valpo so a trip back through to Santiago was needed before picking up our 24 hour long bus ride. We hit yet another hurdle when we found the bus leaving that evening was full so opted for an early one the following day. The spanish seemed to be holding up - or at least [View Full Entry]

By Welsh Wanderers
October 23rd 2008

The Hills Are Alive

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

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The Lonely Planet says that some people will not understand Valparaiso. Well at first we certainly felt that way. It is a UNESCO world heritage site, and really quite unique. It is a coastal town and the largest port in Chile. The city itself consists of the flat portion called El Plan, which houses downtown and the markets, and the hills containing the residential areas. There is something like 40-60 different hills each with its own character and its own 'ascensores´, which are essentially very old funiculars. The houses are colourful and interesting but very ramshackled. There are a lot of [View Full Entry]

By viajerosinrumbo
October 19th 2008

valparaíso

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

grafiti

Bueno, oscar intenta que contemos algo interesante de valparaíso pero yo me pregunto si realmente fuera esto lo que os preocupara, lo que desatara vuestro interes, ya habriais venido a verlo con vuestros propios ojos. Asi que dejo el turno a oscar a ver que se le ocurre. Yo solo puedo deciros que tengo las rodillas destrozadas de tanto subir y bajar las cuestas de esta enorme y empinada ciudad y que ya he tenido mi primera diarrea cabrona por culpa de una chorrillana, un invento chileno del diablo que seguro que a alberto le encantaria. Besos. Valparaíso tiene algo que [View Full Entry]

By Matt and Chrissie
October 14th 2008

Warm weather and wine

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

The oldest funicular in town
Only 125 years old and still running safely

Before telling you about the delights of Valparaiso and Mendoza, I feel we should tackle the important issue of the day.....the beard! As the photo shows, it is no more. With the vote delicately balanced, Chrissie's nerve cracked and her impartiality wavered. Threats of no kissing followed and the fate of the beard was sealed. In a quiet and dignified ceremony, I like to call "shaving", he was laid to rest. On the up side, I haven't had another shave for two days now.....the beard is dead, long live the beard! So then, Valparaiso, a short trip from Santiago, is a [View Full Entry]

By looking for my zihuatanejo
October 2nd 2008

Bohemian Valparaiso

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

5.Palacio Baburizza, Valparaiso

Day 94: Wednesday 1st October - Arty Valparaiso Have a frustratingly long walk to my hostel after getting off the bus. Its in Cerro Conception, one of the hillsides that are the trademark of Valparaiso. First its a deceptively long walk along the main avenue in Valparaiso before I miss the entrance to the lift up the hillside and have to trudge up the next road leading up their on foot. Once in Cerro Conception I can't find the hostel, and walk up and down the street for a good 10 minutes, passing the entrance to the lane where the hostel [View Full Entry]

1. Colourful street where I stayed in Valparaiso

6. A street in Cerro Conception, Valparaiso

By Livi
August 21st 2008

Valpo & Viña

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso

P1020333

Hier gibt es ein Sprichwort das besagt: "Wenn die alten Frauen in Chile den August überstehen, dann werden sie noch ein Jahr länger leben..." ..Was auf eine vielleicht etwas makabere Weise ausdrücken soll dass der August der schirchste, kälteste und unfreundlichste Monat überhaupt hier ist... Und obwohl es nicht mehr lange bis zum Frühling dauert - wir alle zählen schon die Tage.. - entschlossen wir uns, am Sonntag (17.8.) raus aus Santiago, ein bisschen mehr zur Wärme uuuund ans Meer zu fahren --- das Künstlerstädtchen Valparaíso und die danebenliegende moderne Stadt (was soviel bed [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region » Valparaíso