Houses in Valparaiso
On Day 5, we took a trip to Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, which are possibly two of the most gorgeous places I have ever been to.
The first stop upon arriving to Valparaiso was La Sebastiana, the house of the poet. This house was sitiutated on a hill in a way so that it overlooked the the entire city and the coastal ports. From its windows you could see all the colorful houses making their way up the hill.
In regards to the colorful houses, I was pleasantly surprised when I got a closer look at them during the walking tour and found out that they were in great condition and none of them had faded paint. My original perception was that they were not in good quality up close, but I couldn’t have been further from the truth. During the walk, we even came across a handyman who was repainting on of the houses where the color had faded, inidicating that perhaps keeping the houses’ color in top condition was enforced.
After the walking tour, we made our way down to Vina Del Mar for lunch and to spend time at the ocean, which was absolutely refreshing since the water was so cold!
On the bus ride back home, I thought about how the different lifestyles of the people here must be compared to back home in the US. There is definitely much more walking involved seeing as most of the houses are situated on hills and staircases. The coastal and clean environment kept in these winding neighborhoods gave the place a sense of liveliness, in which the colors also played a large contribution. Overall this day, and the little houses filing up the hill, will be one I hope I never forget.
I also really enjoyed Valparaiso. It was interesting for me to see how the city developed on the hills and how the residents navigate the crazy street pattern. It was also interesting to find out that the houses were made from corrugated metal. It’s such a cheap material, and yet many of the areas looked nice and the green church was even covered in the metal. I also liked that they have a pride in their city which has led to the upkeep of the houses. I loved how the city grew organically and has become a place where art can thrive.
I found Viña interesting, especially when comparing it to Valparaiso. The city was much wealthier and the flatter than Valparaiso. It was interesting to find out the history of how Viña developed as the wealthy leaving Valparaiso. Visiting both, I definitely got that sensibility.
I loved the beach at Viña. The water was cold, but it was relaxing. We walked along the boardwalk and bought churros. The collection of shops and stalls was interesting and a nice experience.