Thursday, 30 September 2010
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
a place to ....... El Cementerio de Disidentes
View across to 'El Cementerio de Disidentes' (Dissident's cemetery). This cemetery was created for non-Catholics (primarily Brits and other Europeans) who were not permitted to be sepulchered in other cemeteries in Valparaiso.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Monday, 27 September 2010
pondering life (on the outside)
If you are a pet lover you may well be content in the streets of Valparaiso as there is certainly no shortage of stray cats and, in even greater numbers, dogs to say hello to in your wanderings. On the other hand, you may feel yourself sympathising with their plight as many eke out a pretty harsh existence. Either way, of canine and feline companions, lack you will not. I am not sure of this tabby's domicile status, although, given its portliness, it is seemingly not on too bad a wicket.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
black and white and read all over
El Mercurio De Valparaiso is the oldest continuously circulating newspaper not just in Chile but in the Spanish language. This billboard is between Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.
Saturday, 25 September 2010
Friday, 24 September 2010
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
keep the beat
Percussive tings of metal on gas bottles is a frequent and familiar sound in the neighbourhoods of Valparaiso.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
when in Valpo
According to Wikitravel's Valparaiso article, 'going to Valparaiso and not going on the ascensores is like going to Venice and not taking a ride on a gondola.'
There are several of these funiculars dotted around the city rising to spectacular vantage points and saving the need for some fatigue-inducing steep climbs on foot. This one goes up to the Playa Ancha (Wide Beach) neighbourhood.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Sunday, 12 September 2010
attention atheists, agnostics and heathens
Evangelist late on a crisp Sunday afternoon in one of Valparaiso's many town squares.
Bible in hand, pacing up and down, getting into the swing of things, finding her rhythm, spreading the word.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
37 years on
Chile has its own monumental 9/11. On this day 37 years ago the Allende government was ousted in a coup d'état and a military dictatorship was installed led by General Augusto Pinochet. Democracy was not restored until 1990 after years of abuse of human rights, torture and dissapearances.
On this same day, Salvador Allende delivered a final address to the nation from the presidential palace before committing suicide.
Friday, 10 September 2010
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Poem of the day: Cafe del Poeta, Valparaiso
"Don't expect things to change if we always do the same"
A crisis is the greatest blessing that can happen to a person or country because crisis brings progress. Creativity is born from anguish as day is born of the dark night. It is in crisis that ingenuity, discoveries and great strategies are born. He who overcomes a crisis overcomes himself without being defeated. He who attributes his crisis to his failures and shortcomings assaults his own talent and pays more respect to problems than solutions.
The true crisis is the crisis of incompetence. The problem of people and countries is the laziness to find a way out, a solution. Without crisis there are no challenges, without challenges life is a routine, a slow agony. Without crisis there is no merit. It is in crisis that the best of each of us blossoms because without crisis every wind is a caress. To speak of crisis is to promote it and to keep quiet is to exalt conformity. Instead of this let's work hard. Once and for all let's get rid of the only threatening crisis; the tragedy of not wanting to fight to overcome it.
ALBERT EINSTEIN
* The translation from the Spanish is mine and I do not assure its accuracy.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Monday, 6 September 2010
Just to whet the appetite
Rapa Nui (Easter Island/Isla de Pascua), an external Chilean territory, is separated from the mainland by a wide expanse of the Pacific. The intrepid are beckoned with this replica moai situated on the coast of Valparaiso providing just a hint of the unique Polynesian culture beyond. One day.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Salvador Allende; Luchar,Trabajar,Estudiar. Struggle, Work, Study
The memory of Salvador Allende (1908-1973), Chile's popularly elected Marxist leader lives on in the streets of left-leaning Valparaiso. He is popularly paid homage in the city's street art. Here, the Salvador Allende People's Library on Almirante Montt provides reading material and space to today's political and historical bibliophiles.
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Valparaiso; architectural gem
It is very likely that the amazing architecture of Valparaiso will be what first catches your eye and leaves you saying 'wow!'. The pastels of these houses on Cerro Alegre are typical of many residences.
Friday, 3 September 2010
View over Valparaiso and port from Pablo Neruda's "La Sebastiana"
Valparaiso, an important Chilean port city on the Pacific Ocean will provide the images for this blog. It is a unique city full of steep streets, innumerable suburban staircases, amazing architecture, vibrant street art, quirky bars and cafes and of course thousands of Chilean Porteños. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Chile's most renowned literary figure Pablo Neruda lived part of his life here as well. This photograph, looking out over part of the city to the harbour is taken from the study of his house "La Sebastiana".
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