Pearl of the Pacific

On Sunday, August 5, our group took an afternoon tour of Valparaíso, a neighboring city that I can see from my window.  The city is more historic and cultural in comparison to the tourism and party atmosphere of Viña.  It is also know as the student's city because of the many universities there, the largest of which being Universidad Católica.  My host sister, Macarena is a 6th year civil engineering student there and is now finishing up her senior thesis.

Upon arriving, the first thing we did was ride up a funicular (pictures below).  There used to be 15, but now only four continue to function.  The one below is the most distinguishable, but some are hidden between buildings on random streets.  It costs about 300-400 chilean pesos or $1 to go up.

Riding up the funicular!

Our group at the top of the funicular.

After the funicular, we took a walking tour amongst the houses and up and down the hills.  There are two famous, connected hills in Valpo that we toured: Happy Hill (Mont Alegre) and Conception Hill (Cerro Concepción).  We took a micro to the top of Cerro Concepción and where able to get a view of Pablo Neruda's house.  We walked most of the way down, but near the bottom got the chance to take another funicular the rest of the way.

A playground hidden behind colorful houses where children can play safely even in the middle of a large busy city.

Night views of the city as walked up and down the hills.

Our tour group!

This jokester old salesman was trying to sell us his art so he brought out his best work of art hahaha

Taking the micros to the tops of the cerros (hills).

View of Valpo from the top of Mont Alegre.

La casa de Pablo Neruda.

The following are some shots as we walked through the streets of Valpo:

Our awesome student relations person from UAI, Jaime, and my friend/twin Caitlin Miller :)

The city is brimming with art and artists, which is apparent in all of the murals everywhere.

In front of a mural with my chiquitita, Nicole!

                             

Typical postcard picture of Valpo: hills, colorful house, funicular.

This is the tour group's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ruta-Valpara%C3%ADso/220008994707430
These are the photos the tour guide took:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.428663780508616.90733.220008994707430&type=1

Although it is a very popular party scene, Valpo can be dangerous at night.  This was on the news a couple of weeks ago here:

That's not to say that this happens every day or it is not okay to go to Valparaíso for the day or to a carrete at night, we just have to go in big groups and be careful!

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Other excellent blog about our trip to Valpo from the perspective of Maddy O'Brien. Has lots of good facts and is really well done!

http://maobrien123.blogspot.com/2012/08/valparaiso-la-perla-del-pacifico.html?spref=fb