On January 26, 2012, a fire swept through a historical area of Valparaíso, damaging ten commercial locales and injuring several people.
One of those affected was the Escuela de Samba Valparaíso, a school dedicated to the art of percussion. More than 60 large drums, various musical instruments and costumes, totaling around $6 million Chilean Pesos ($12,000 USD), were lost. It is as the school’s director Ronny Mancilla says, a real tragedy. Continue reading The Beat Goes On…
Continue reading Monday Memories – Chicken feet & bird placenta
Chile lindo. Beautiful Chile. Continue reading Reserva Nacional Río de los Cipreses
Day 6:
Woke up refreshed with Skip on the porch. We hiked around the Chiloé National Park for a bit, and of course our partner tagged along. Continue reading Monday Memories – Eleven days in the Lakes District (Part 2)
(No need to catch the rare Flowering Desert, just walk around, like in Valpo, and exotic flowers are everywhere in Chile!)
It was around 6:30 a.m. when Ian and I headed out with our cameras in order to photograph the aftermath, a.k.a. New Year’s Day. Continue reading The aftermath…
One of the best ends to a year I’ve ever had, being in Valparaíso for New Year’s festivities was simply fantastic. Known as the best New Year’s party in all of South America, this lovely port town, composed of 42 hills, promises an amazing fireworks show and a party that lasts way into the next day. (Check back tomorrow for more on that subject.) Continue reading Welcome 2012
Capturing a rare electrical storm in Santiago, Chile. Continue reading The Best of 2011
For Christmas 2011, I have found yet another lovely family willing to open their home and let this foreigner take part in their traditions, sparing me the loneliness that comes when living so far from home, from family. Continue reading So this is Christmas
Seriously, I <3 Valpo. Continue reading The hills are alive…
In 1843, the Universidad de Chile opened its doors to provide quality higher education. Its first building, located on Alemeda, is a beautiful structure full of history. It has now become the pinnacle for protestors, graffitied with frustration, by those demanding a major overhaul of Chile’s current higher education system. What they’re seeking is free education for todos, all. Continue reading Free Education
I LOVE HUASOS… Continue reading Horseback. Andes Mountains. Good People. Yes.
One of my favorite Spanish phrases: Apaga la tele. Vive tu vida. Turn off the TV. Live your life.
9/26/10
“Manos verdes,” Green hands: An extraordinary ability to make plants grow. In English, this would be known as a “green thumb.” Continue reading Monday Memories – Carmen’s Eden.
This is my third Thanksgiving in a row in a country that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. However, you just can’t take the thankfulness out of a Gringo come this time of year, it’s unnatural. So despite the absence of pumpkins, despite the summer heat and despite having to work that day, we give thanks in our own little way.
