Boat Rides and Evening Skies

Valparaiso is an exceptional UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is obvious why people from all over the world flock here like the seagulls. The city is a mix of colorful houses, colonial style buildings, indigenous artwork, old fishing boats, burned patches of earth, earthquake rubble, Pablo Neruda´s house, the Mulle Prat Wharf, bohemian hipppie street vendors selling llama sweaters, the Naval Academy, and empanadas. 

Valpo, as the locals call it, was once called the jewel of the pacific. When trade routes used to swing around the straight of magellan, Valpo was the main port to stop, refuel, rest. Life is not always easy here, fisherman are losing the fight for adequate pay as they see all of their hardwork  shipped overseas, indigenous lands are being taken away for new apartment complexes, public schools are losing their funding, but there is a strong sense of hope, passion and growth. Artists are painting the way toward socal change, buisness men and women are working hard to rebuild infrastructure and local schools and universities are expanding globally with exchange students and programs. 

The guide for our boat tour was a young man, born in the United States with Chilean heritage who felt called to return to his parents home country and learn as much as he could about the history. He shared many personal stories about the journey and importance of finding your roots and learning about who you are and where you came from. After our boat ride we took an ascensor to the outlook over the city at the Mirador Baron. 

Valparaiso is a living, breathing city, the cresant moon bay hugs us close together. Even though it can be tough, we are proud to wake up as citizens of Valpo. 

In my first years I wanted to discover
the history of your hills, flying a kite
like the butterflies that fly among the roses.
I traveled your hills and when I return again I'll contemplate you
the jewel of the pacific they call 
and I call you a charm of the sea
With all my heart ... Valparaiso, you have my love. 

-Jose Vasconcellos