By Dana
In addition to New Years and city tours with my host brother, we enjoyed numerous incredible experiences in Valparaiso. When we weren't hanging out with my host family, there was alway something in the city to explore and enjoy. Here are some of the highlights of our time in Valparaiso, Chile.
The Vina del Mar flower clock that we passed on our way to the beach. Vina del Mar is a city right next to Valparaiso.
Brent enjoying his 'Helado York' maybe more than he should be
Pisco Sours! - A traditional, delicious Chilean beverage made by mixing Pisco (liquor similar to brandy), lemon juice, sugar, and egg whites. Cheers!
Chilean Fads
You can either buy the whole fish and clean them at home, like my host dad is doing here, or you can pay a little more to have the men at the port clean them for you.
Eel and oysters
View of the hills of Valparaiso from the water
The Coast
This was one of many walks we enjoyed along the beach / coast in Valparaiso
Hanging out at the beach
Swimming in the waves and chilly, refreshing water
Enjoying the sunshine in our suits the same day the midwest made the Chilean news for being -50 degrees F :-)
Tasty Chilean Treats
We enjoyed all kinds of yummy Chilean food.
Empanadas
Helado
Chilean Bread - Chileans consume the 2nd most bread in the world, behind Italy
Most of that bread is consumed during breakfast or during 'once' (pronounced ohn-say). Here's a typical table setting for 'once', which is eaten at night in place of dinner. Usually 'once' includes black tea (with lots of sugar) and bread (with lots of butter, jam, and/or manjar). This night I also made some brownies as an added treat. :)
Helados York - A traditional ice cream treat made in and only found in Valparaiso
Completos
These special treats get their own category. Completos are a traditional Chilean street food. They consist of a long hot dog surrounded by warm, freshly baked Chilean bread. Then they are smothered in sauerkraut, relish, tomatoes, avocado, and since we're in Chile, of course tons of mayo.
Brent enjoying his first ever completo
Me and Picha
My host dad making completos for 'once' (light meal eaten in the evening in Chile, in place of dinner). Hands down, homeade completos are the best.
The way I like them, sin mayo (without mayo). Look at all that avocado! Yum!
If there's one thing I really enjoy it's Chilean style. I've noticed that the 'in' styles and fads of Chile usually come about 15-20 years after those in the U.S. While last time I was here, I enjoyed the 80s windsuits and mullets, now roller blading has become the thing. Anyone who's anyone in Valpo has roller blades. The best part is that apparently you're cool if you own roller blades and not necessarily if you know how to roller blade. I could have sat for hours watching the million terrible roller bladers and the couple pros go by. It was great.
Oh, and I'm happy to report that the mullets and rat tails are still around as well. :)
Exploring the Hills of Valparaiso
We spent numerous days wandering around the hills of Valparaiso and taking in the amazing sights.
View over the port
Cool house from a popular lookout
Another cool mural/graffiti
Church in Cerro Alegre or Cerro Concepcion
Brent admiring a beautiful street in the hills
Me in Cerro Alegre
One last cool mural
A random street performer in a plaza - a relatively common sight in Valpo
Chilean Naval headquarters
Eternal flame across from the naval building
Cool picture of a Chilean flag
And of course, me running away from the Tsunami!
Mercado de mariscos - Seafood Market
My host family prides themselves in always eating the freshest seafood. If we're having seafood or fish for lunch, my host dad always go down to the market that morning to buy seafood straight from the fishermen. Brent and I got to go with him one day to the 'caleta' close to our house.
Typical fishing boats in the port
A woman rigging hundreds of hooks with sardines to use for fishing
One of my favorite fish for eating . . . until today I had no idea it looked like this.
The fish we bought for lunch
If the fish are gutted at the port, they dump all the innards into the sea. It's kind of awful to watch and think about. . .
. . . however, the pelicans and seaguls sure love it!
So do the sea lions. They were everywhere!
Here's a typical, beautiful spread of seafood at the market
Boat Ride in the Port
One afternoon we payed a few dollars for a short boat tour of the port. It's amazing getting to see the city from the ocean.
Boats and a cruise ship in the port
I SPY a Jelly Fish
Barge and some navy ships in the background
The navy taking down the flags at the end of the day
One last cool picture of the Chilean boats in the port
Sunsets
We enjoyed many lovely sunsets in Valparaiso. One of the most relaxing ones was when we hung out by the ocean with Picha and Turko. We thoroughly enjoyed the great conversation, laughter, and cool cerveza Turko provided.
Me and Brent on the rocks by the sea
Picha and her good friend Turko
The beautiful view of the city at sunset
Chao for now. . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment