Valparaiso/Vina del Mar Impressions

Well, the photo above kind of paints the picture. Old Valparaiso looking across to new Vina del Mar. I would really be easy to observe that half the city is in an irreversible state of decay and all the money is being invested in the new neighborhoods while the old neighborhoods rot away. In fact our guide suggested that local politicians see their role as supplicants for federal money and federal programs and express little initiative in local planning or an active leadership role in old Valparaiso, if the building a in good condition it is either a government agency or an international business, otherwise is on its way to abandonment.

The wiring is crazy everywhere. The company that owns the poles rents space on the pole.

The well kept building downtown is owned by the Navy.

According to our guide, most street businesses are unregulated and fiercely defended by the public as a right to earn a living if authorities try to close them down. One other feature worth noting: We saw ZERO begging on the streets. People are pleasant and friendly.

Another local feature is community dogs, not so much strays but rather dogs that are tolerated and even cared for by the public. We saw them chasing cabs and buses. About 660 pesos to the dollar if you are wondering.

Street businesses extend to even the new neighborhoods where many corners have window washers waiting for traffic signals.

We also visited the Easter Island museum. Easter Island is owned by Chile and I guess a lot of the people will never get closer than the museum.