Both say right now: Valparaiso, love. I'm not going to be very objective in my description of the premises. Our arrival was very early morning as we took a night bus. A mild sun begins to warm the city peacefully asleep again when we land in "Valpo", as they say here. Valparaiso is a port in the past glorieux.Il was long a leading stop "warm" for sailors who passed Cape Horn and up the Pacific coast. When the Panama Canal has made this route obsolete (circa 1920 I think), the town was asleep and gradually lost its political and economic dynamism for the benefit of its neighbor in the foothills of Santiago. Today, Valparaiso is a quiet port town looking for a second wind. Cultural activity is very intense.
Valparaiso has a spirit that makes it unique. Geographically, the city's configuration resembles that of Nice: multiple valleys abruptly plunge into the sea clinging to homes they are often made of wood and are all different colors. Some streets are veritable rainbow of colors, a bit like I imagine the images of Ireland, but with more sunshine. Everything inspires calm and the stairs steep and deserted cats and dogs basking in the sun or the view of the bay so soothing. We walk with eyes that shine walking one surprise. We never get tired of getting lost in a small cobbled street or in a noisy main avenue. The dilapidated buildings rub shoulders small houses newly painted scarlet. We feel that people love their city and want to make their environment more friendly. But all this requires money and the local economy seems barely begin to redevelop. One thing is sure: Valparaiso is beautiful and will be even better tomorrow.
Valparaiso is a city that oscillates between the corners sordid and colorful surprises.
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