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<\/a>During our first weekend in the city, we took a walking tour taking in some of the beautiful buildings that are built on the hills overlooking the harbor.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Valparaiso is justifiably famous for its street art, and we were introduced to the works of several local artists during our tour.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The styles vary, but the art makes hike up and down the city’s hills worthwhile.<\/p><\/div>\n
“Valpo” as the locals call it, was once Chile’s most important sea port. It is the first major harbor for ships coming north after passing Cape Horn. The opening of the US transcontinental railroad and the Panama canal drastically reduced that traffic, and the harbor dimished in importance. Today it is home to part of Chile’s navy, a stopover for cruise ships, and a busy freight terminal.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Riding one of the electric trolley busses in downtown. Some of the busses are more than sixty years old, and the system is a Unesco World Heritage site.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Valparaiso harbor from our apartment.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A system of ascensores takes some of the work out of getting around the city. Most of these elevators are more than 100 years old, and they rattle and creak to make sure you know it.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The highlight of our visit to the excellent naval museum was meeting the builders of this model. When they finish their two year labor it will be the largest model ship in South America.<\/p><\/div>\n
We visited two of the homes of Pablo Naruda, a famous and eccentric Chilean poet.<\/p><\/div>\n A last day of fun on the beach before we fly to winter.<\/p><\/div>\n We celebrated the end of an amazing journey with a nice meal overlooking the harbor.<\/p><\/div>\n On our last full day in town we got together with our\u00a0friends, Cicilia, Jorge, and her son Caetan to take a cooking class. Here Quinn and Jen roll dough for empanadas.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>