Day 14 - Sunday, December 3, 2023 - Valparaiso Chile

By Ellen Outten

 



We saw this in Buenos Aires as well.  It's a national problem.  Half of these connections are not working and a new line is run for a new resident 

I had no idea what Valparaiso would be like.  I've heard the name and I knew it was a coastal city on the Pacific Ocean but other than that I had no idea what to expect.  

What I found was a mass of humanity.  The city is built on hills. For as far as the eye can see, you will see houses, barrios.  When you look at the pictures I've taken, look to the distance, at the horizon.  All you see are homes.  








Chile has fairly low inflation, we were told, and maybe I'm seeing something that isn't there but I didn't see a booming economy.  I saw graffiti and, yes, I saw some artwork or murals on buildings.  In fact, it appears that the citizens of Valparaiso live their murals.  

I was glad for our two guides, one at the front and one at the rear to keep us together and safe.  I never felt threatened but I did feel uncomfortable.  

Most of the other members of our tour group are "of money" or at least they want you think that.  I don't believe others felt as uncomfortable as myself.  And I don't know why not.  

We walked for about 3 hours through the streets and different neighborhoods.  I was told we walked through the Italian neighborhood and the German neighborhood.  One didn't look any different or better than the other.  













We were told that this is an expensive hotel 




Where we ate lunch. The view was lovely looking out to the bay and the Pacific Ocean I'm glad we all ate together as a group.

If I used the word slums, I'm sure our tour guide would be insulted.  He lived here as a child until the age of 10.  In fact, he pointed out houses that he says would sell for over $1 million dollars US.  Old corrogated metal houses with a view of the bay.  My eyes saw nothing but barrios.

Flea markets abound.  Many illegal immigrants from Peru, Venezuela, some who walked to Chile in search of a better life. Everyone trying to sell what looks mostly like trash.  

Travel gives you a different perspective on the life we are born into and the life we have been fortunate to live.

The sign for the funicular that we rode down the last of the Valparaiso hills.

The building,the nicest I saw, is the home of the Chilean Navy.
Opposite the Chilean Navy building, a statute of one of their conquering generals.
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We left Valparaiso behind us and headed back toward Santiago, we had one more stop to make. A winery vineyard for a tour of the vineyard and a tasting. I've visited many wineries. It seems tour companies can fill up some time and it's usually free to tour with the vineyard hoping you buy. This tour was nice. We actually went into the vineyard and looked at the leaves and the small flowers that will soon be berries. The cellar was also interesting and the tasting of 4 wines an education. No wine bought by anyone, we left.

Views as we left Santiago heading to Valparaiso


The tallest building south of the Rio Grande River 

Chile 's house of Congress 


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