This is my hotel overlooking the port of Valparaiso, in the old quarter of the town. It is a world heritage site, with houses dating from the mid 1850's. It has been razed a few times by earthquakes as well as set fire to by the Spanish. Before the building of the Panama canal in 1913, this was a major port of call for ships rounding Cape Horn and the Magellan Straits. In fact Jen's Great Grandfather must have called in here many times. It is an attractive city nestling into the hills and apparently, it is not too dissimilar from San Francisco, with its very steep streets leading from the coast. It is full of artisan/craft places and trendy eating establishments - also very high prices. The photos I have taken here, make the buildings look more attractive than they really are. For some reason they are nearly all clad in corrugated metal sheeting (like we use on sheds etc), though they are painted in pretty colours. In fact paint is slapped on most things, which cheers things up a lot. One flight of steps (of which there are many) had the slogan ' We are not Hippies - just Happies' - which kind of sums the place up - they are hippies in denial!
This is my hotel overlooking the city and port
The best feature however, is the artisan beer served up here
While drinking my artisan beer last night, sat opposite was an English couple who were busy snapping photos of one another. I offered to take a picture of them both together, which I did. They put the camera in my hand, I took the picture and I handed back the camera, and there was not one word of acknowledgement, thanks or even a smile. In fact they just continued the conversation, as if I wasn't there. I've never experienced such rudeness before. I wasn't seeking to begin a conversation with them or necessarily desiring of any company, after three beers I just wanted sleep.
This morning while exploring the town the chap from last night greeted me merrily, so perhaps they were just in the middle of something, that made them forget the niceties. The town itself was interesting, it is a museum in itself, but has little architecture of merit or even museums of any note. The one thing it did have, was a series of funicular railways up the steeply banked hillsides - but unfortunately the drivers have been on strike for 5 weeks, so those weren't working.
Would be good if it was working
Below are a few photos of the place:
City on the hill
Painted galvanised - very nice
A pasty shop!!
Huge container ship - fruit is their main export and copper
Tourist trips around the harbour
I think one day was just about right for Valparaiso, tomorrow back on the road to Santiago. I will drink to Valparaiso tonight with some more LOCAL BREW and who knows my new best English friends might even speak to me.
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