A Port Town in Chile

My first stop in Chile was Valparaiso, called by my Rough Guide the “most memorable city in Chile.” Not sure I’d go quite that far, but it’s a cute town.

It was good fun to be back in Latin America and negotiating the public buses. There are always multiple bus companies at the terminal all competing for your business and yelling in Spanish – don’t they know I have no idea what they’re saying?!? (just kidding – thank you Rosetta Stone!)

I should send a special shout out to Taca Airlines. It’s so nice to negotiate crowded bus terminals without a bulky backpack! And to be able to just hop on the bus without getting luggage stored underneath – what a breeze! If not for the lack of clean clothes or a toothbrush, this would be THE
way to travel!

Valparaiso is about 2 hours west of Santiago on the Pacific coast. It is a working port with huge cargo ships all over the harbor.

And the town itself is super cute: all brightly colored houses up and down the various hills.

The town’s claim to fame is fifteen wooden trams or lifts (ascensors) that were all built over a hundred years ago, before roads were able to easily negotiate the steep hills surrounding the harbor. Each one is built a bit differently (one is even accessed via a 50 meter underground tunnel).

The toughest adjustment for me was the sudden switch from winter in the US to summer here. I found myself exploring the town for hours. At one point I looked at my watch thinking it would be late afternoon (since the sun was so high in the sky) only to find it was 8:30! The sun doesn’t set here until about 9:30. It’s crazy! Can’t say that I miss the 5pm sunsets! Fortunately, street vendors sell empanadas late into the (very bright) night!

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