So it started with a 24 hr bus ride from San Pedro Atacama to Santiago. Over night buses are one thing but a 24 hour bus ride tests a mans will and spirit. But after a week in Bolivia I was beginning to feel the time crunch and I needed to get moving to Santiago. Not realizing that the bus ride would challenge my bladder as well as my mental sanity I booked the first “non” stop bus to Santiago.
As recommended by some Danish travelers I would enter Chile through San Pedro Atacama a small city in the north east corner of Chile. You realize quickly when you cross the boarder that you are in relatively much richer country. It begins with the transition from bumpy dirt road to smooth paved road. You are also required to wipe your shoes off on a 36×36 sponge (I’m assuming that Chileans think Bolivia is “dirty”). San Pedro Attachma, oddly had no paved roads but did have Internet and a pork, chicken and beef combo platter at a local restaurant.
Santiago from San Cristobal Hill. There is a lot of smog in Santiago.
Americans from Philadelphia in town for the Santiago Marathon. Oddly enough the guy taking the picture (Jason Makuch from London) is the boyfriend of Tiffany Fujioka. You’re thinking who the hell is Tiffany Fujioka (same thing I was thinking when he asked me if I knew his girl friend), well Tiffany is the sister of my High School classmate and friend Dean Fujioka (http://venussurfadventures.com/aboutus.htm) It’s a small world after all.
I think this is another Virgin.
At the base of the Virgin statue there is a shrine/alter where people place candles, pictures and thank you notes to the Virgin. If you notice there is a pregnancy test stick tied to the alter… Hmmm haven’t determined if it was positive or negative yet.
Valparasio
After two days in Santiago it was time to say goodbye to the Americans and head off to Valparasio and Vina del Mar. After 4 days in a jeep, a 24 hour bus ride, having water spilled on me in the middle of the night by a guy in the upper bunk and getting devoured by bugs in Bolivia I needed a place to chill out and “lick my wounds”. One of the Americans recommended a Hospedaje in a Cerro on the south end of town. It turned out to be the perfect place to rest up for the rest of my trip.
Cerro Bella Vista. Valpo is an interesting city because it is built on a bunch of Cerros or hills. Each cerro is accessed by a funicular or cable car elevator. It was recommended that I just get lost in the Cerros and explore.
An interesting record store. Joe Fox would like this place.
South American hospitality. While waiting for a table in a very busy seafood restaurant in Valpo, a family invited me to join them at their table. Even though they spoke no English and I still speak very little Spanish it was a great time.
Mariscal (shellfish) soup. So much shellfish my big toe hurt just looking at it.
Sunset from my Hospedaje. After 3 days here, by bug bites were beginning to heal and my batteries were recharged and ready for Argentina.
Vina Del Mar
Vina is a tourist town but nice none the less. In all of the descriptions I read it made Vina feel like it was 30-40 minutes away from Valpo. Reality, of it all is that Vina is a quick 15 minute train ride from Valpo.
Welcome to Vina Del Mar
The Sun Dial kept great time…
Me in Vina
More Photos available at my Web based photo site:
Hey you! Your blog is soooo cool. I love it! You should submit stuff to boots and all – an adventure travel site. they might post a link to your blog or post content off of it for others.
Sounds like you are having a blast. I’m so envious!!! All the good food and new experiences! Enjoy’!