of a friend from the hostal, I was able to write and deliver a simple speech in Spanish for the occasion.
My favorite cafe' was in the green building on the left.
Valpo has the largest shipping port on the west coast of South American. Many Chilean goods and items from other countries come and go from this busy port. Like most cities with large sea ports, Valparaiso has a long and colorful history.
I thought that any town with a unique street name like “Bazar La Pasion” was my kind of place!
The gravity and weight of the car going down help pull the other car up the steep hill.
Like our cable cars these are part of Valparaiso's legendary history.
Up till this point in my journey, I have traveled and stayed in the jungles of Ecuador, the Andes Mountains of Peru, the high mountain desert of Western Argentina and the Lake/Patagonia region of Southern Chile. All incredibly beautiful places that have helped to deepen my appreciation for large stretches of natural terrain that are unspoiled by what some call progress and/or development. Now being in a City, I wanted to settle and focus on getting to better know the Chilean people. Below are a few of the friendly, hospitable Chilean's that I met and became acquainted with.
This is the family that Sophie is staying with. We shared a toast for prosperity and a delicious Chilean cuisine meal together. From L to R is: Catalina, Paulina, Marisol, Sophie and me.
These are my kind and generous Chilean friends Yvonne and Valydia with their son Samuel. The husband and wife team recently went into business as the owners/managers of Hostal Acuarela where I stayed. Here we are in ReƱaca Beach, where they took me to their all-time favorite eating establishment for the best empanadas in all of Chile.
Yvonne makes great homemade bread and serves it for breakfast in the hostal.
This is my friend, Sebastian who invited me to an associated students rock party in Jardin Botanica. He is a dedicated reggae musician with an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to jazz and Latin music. He is a strict vegetarian and limits his vices to tea, mate' and ghanga. He plays keyboards in the group MATAFARI and his favorite musician is Thelonius Monk. The group originated in the far south of Chile in a little town called Punta Arenas....which amazes me because that is near the bottom of the planet. My only conclusion is that it speaks to the universality of music as I love their blend of reggae and jazz. If you want to listen here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTxFx-y2GI
Ayinn, helped me with my Spanish and to write/word the speach for Soph's B-day.
Below is the beautiful spiral staircase in Hostal Acuarela.
This is La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda's Valparaiso House and his desk sat on the upper floor overlooking the harbor. Living in places like this it is no wonder that he could write such insightful poetry.
Just a picture of one of the many churches in Valpo
A gargantuan tree in the plaza and my favorite birds eye view restaurant overlooking the plaza
Bicentennial 2010
Bolivia
Argentina
In addition to Chile, frigate ships from Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Uruguay, Mexico, Spain and Portugal participated in the regatta.
The mastheads on these ships are gorgeous finely detailed carvings that symbolize patriotism for their respective countries. Soph and I especially liked the flags and music on the Mexican ship.
My last day in Chile...I think the photographer is trying to give me a palm afro...
Thank You for your interest in my stories and pictures...as the say in Chile...Chao