Voy a Valparaiso

Trip Start Sep 15, 2007
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Trip End Dec 13, 2007


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Flag of Chile  ,
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

It is true what they say about the chilean buses.  Fantastic.  Itīs an quick ride to the bus terminal on Santiagoīs efficient and easy to use metro.  I purchase a $7 ticket for the approximately 90 minute ride to Valpo (for you Jenni) at 1:15 and the bus pulls out of the terminal exactly as scheduled at 1:20. I am looking forward to getting out of the big city and to Valparaiso. 

I am not disappointed.  I get off the bus and immediately fall in love with the place. Being the cheap bastard that I am I decide to forgoe the $1 collectivo (little taxis that operate like buses--fixed routes and fares) and walk.  Itīs a pretty nice day and by the time I walk several blocks and a bit of the way up one of Valpoīs infamous hills I am drenched in sweat.  Chris, the german expat host suppressed a laugh. 

The Luna Son Risa is a charming little hostel which came highly recommended, with good reason My friends from Texas and Scotland
My friends from Texas and Scotland
 .  Itīs a damn sight better than the place in Santiago and it wasnīt bad.  After my experience in that place, I thought Iīd take the slightly more expensive single private room but the dorm is so nice, I take it instead (see cheap bastard reference).   This is a quieter place and the other guests are cool. 

I have time for a quick walk around the winding cobblestoned, stairway infested streets of my hostelīs beautiful neighbourhood, Cerro Alegre before joining three other guests for wine, travel talk, followed by dinner and more travel talk.  

 
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