Im in love!
With a city! Valparaíso is among the most beautiful and inspiring cities I've ever visited. There's art everywhere. Everywhere! Or at least in those parts, I've seen in my, so far, only 3 days in town.
In the 80'ies and 90'ies, Valparaíso had declined and the city was infamous for huge crime and unemployment rates. This has changed. Now the city aims at attracting students and artists. Therefore, local artists are incouraged and supported when decorating the town, which again makes the city a cultural center and hence attracts tourists. Valparaíso has turned into a great attraction while still being a living city. (Another great part of the success should be mentioned - Valparaíso being a UNESCO World Heritage site).
While walking around town, the most amazing thing is that you keep getting surprised. Here is an electricity meter painted as a trolley bus. There the backside of a house fully decorated with one gigantic mural and only visible from one particular viewpoint in town. You'll find an entire zoo on the murals throughout town; and every hostel, restaurant, art shop, residential house etc. is decorated.
Valparaíso is situated at the Pacific Coast, which gives amazing light and clear breezes. It spreads out over approximately 15 hills making a crescent around the minor flat stretch towards the coastline. Add to this, the absolute lack of urban planning and imagine how the city climbs, descends, winds, stairs appear out of nowhere, houses are situated in absolutely impossible spots, funiculars from early 20. century, dead ends, passages, viewpoints. And constantly inspiring your imagination.
Therefore, I've spent the past 3 days walking around in my very own magic and mysterious world taking hundreds of pictures. Hence, this blogpost contains loads of pictures, though, not even close to the amount I've clicked in Valparaíso.
The nightlife of Valparaíso is, I can tell by personal experience, splendid as well. To be honest, I have absolutely no recollection of how I got back to my hostel Tuesday night (though, Im almost certain I've settled my account at the bar...).
Of course Valparaíso has it's downsides. Areas still suffering from crime and unemployment. Too many tourists in other parts particular in the main season. But, but, but - as mentioned Im in love, so I have no time for those kind of details. And some day I'll go to Valparaíso for learning to speak Spanish.
Isn't she lovely
A full orchestra
A mural made by the 3 most famous Valparaíso artists. All very characteristic so you'll easily recognize them when walking around town.
Electricity meters
One of the newest murals only a few months old. Made by the most famous artist in town.
Some murals are crossing the corners of the houses.
Even stairs are decorated.
Private residence
Mural and sculpture.
Some houses are really impossibly situated.
View from Calle Dinamarca (Denmark way) that basically consists of 3 cemetaries. All with spectacular views.
Interesting house
Next blog post will be of my hostel, which were an extraordinary journey into the past.
Finally, the prove that my love is reciprocated:
Location:Valparaíso, Chile
