BLOG 3: “VALPO” DISCOVERED

The city of Valparaiso is picturesque to say the least. The closest comparison is to an ancient San Francisco, only, somehow, nomatter which direction you are walking, it always seems to go up.



To aid in climbing the steep sides of this city on the sea, there are gondola-like cars which are pulled up cables with huge cranks along >50 degree slopes, called ASCENSORS. For about 20 cents (US) you can avoid the quad-challenging walk up many a hill.



There is a reflection in the old sagging colorful buildings, with their chipped paint, in the lined faces of the people with their friendly smiles and really fast Spanish, and the raised cobbled sidewalks with slightly crumbling edges that tells of a history. It is an old city, but somehow the age simply gives it character. It is a center of the arts, with a bohemian feel that is highlighted by the amazing vivid graffiti that lines most every walkway, stairway, and alleyway. We are working on a slide show of the graffiti but here is an example:

After wandering through the winding, unnamed streets, and several stops asking for directions later, we found the sign for Epif Café.

Of course, being Monday, it was closed.
So, we yelled.
Banging on the door, we announced our presence to the greater neighborhood of Cerro Alegre, and were gazed down upon by a blurry eyed Brookie, friend of Jose and Nicolle’s who helps run the place. Turns out, Jose and Nicolle were away up north, until that night (which explained the unanswered emails), but Brookie took us under his wing, and showed us the café




and the rest of the town.

First item on the list was to purchase some wool hats as it is full-on winter here…but lovely none the less.




Later that night, Jose and Nicolle arrived and we celebrated reunion with a yummy dinner and a great bottle of wine (Adobe). After dinner we lit a fire, kicked back, and whiled away the hours in conversation and music and an interesting viewing of the Silent Peter Pan from 1924. Can’t say we recommend it, but it was worth the experience, for simple curiosity’s sake.

That brings us to today. A day spent wandering the city, helping set up the café for opening tonight, and just catching up with everyone. We promise after this there will not be so much to read all at once. Thanks for taking the time, and we hope you will check back in with our adventure tomorrow, or perhaps the next day, same time, same place.
Hasta pronto amigos…