After much deliberating I decided it was best to extend my ticket in Chile a few days so that I could get done a few things that I had really wanted to do. I managed to head back into Santiago, where both going out to Valparaiso and ascending the Cerro de San Cristobal were on my list to do, and the list for some friends I had made there as well. I took Friday night to stay in and rest a bit, and then headed out to the bus station the next morning to meet up with my friends and go to Valparaiso.
Valparaiso, or Valpo, is known for its colorful houses that line the hills of the small beach town. It offers both residents and visitors all types of local arts to enjoy and really yummy seafood. I arrived at the bus station about twenty minutes late, and unfortunately this was one of those days where my friends had arrived early and thought that I wasn't coming after all. I looked around for them a bit, and then decided it was best to catch the next bus out of town if I was going to enjoy the day. I got to Valpo around 11 on Saturday, and saw what looked like miles of streets lined with people selling things. I saw phones from the 70s, shoes from last season, and everything in between. I suppose this is something that happens on Saturdays, because the whole town was out shopping. I bought a thing or two for those back home, and then caught the local bus to Pablo Neruda´s home, La Sebastiana.
 |
| La Sebastiana |
I have had the chance to teach some of Neruda's poetry in the past, and have never quite connected with it in real meaningful way. Something about listening to it while strolling through his home made it come to life for me. His obsession with the sea was something that made me miss home a bit, but also made me respect him so much for making it a priority to see the sea from ever room of his house. I took my time enjoying looking at everything from his whisky glasses, to the stuffed flamingo he had hanging from the ceiling. Who once seemed like an over-the-top romantic, became personal to me and left me wanting to read his words in a whole new light. After the house tour, I strolled through the winding streets of Valpo, grabbed a great vegetarian lunch at Donde Luca (supposedly this is one of the only cities in Chile where they really get what it means to eat vegetarian), and then headed back to Santiago.
I finally ended up meeting my friends that evening at a bar in Santiago called La Piojera (it means lice- nice, huh?). I tried my first and only 'Terremoto' (a strong drink that means ´Earthquake´), while thoroughly enjoying laughs and good conversations with my new friends who have made this trip for me. The next day we planned to hike up Cerro San Cristobal. This is a highlight in Santiago, and can be hiked or ridden up in a small funicular. We made our way up there about 3pm, and were able to enjoy it in the funicular (the hike seemed a bit ambitious at that moment) and arrived in time for sunset. The view of the city really affirmed a deep love for Santiago and Chile that has been building throughout the past 5 weeks.
 |
| Riding up in the funicular |
 |
| View from the top- Santiago is gorgeous!! |
 |
| Why not?? 3 Faces, 3 of Us, it works! |
 |
| Sunset on my last night in Santiago |
I headed out at 2:50a.m. the next morning so that I could make my flight to Lima. I had planned to sleep on the flight, but instead I ended up chatting with a Chilean guy, Cristian, for a few hours. He, like every other Chilean, was over-the-top kind. I had shared with him that I would be meeting my friend at her hotel that evening and was planning on spending the day strolling around Miraflores while waiting for her to arrive. He quickly offered to share the shuttle that his work had arranged for him with me, and even offered to let me leave my things at his hotel luggage-check. Really, Chileans are extraordinarily wonderful and kind people. I asked if he was sure about twenty times, and then decided because I had no other plan at that point to take him up on the offer. We ended up eating lunch together and strolling around Miraflores, a cute (yet touristy) neighborhood of Lima. Miraflores literally translates to, 'look flowers'. As we arrived to the small park in the center of the neighborhood, I understood why. This area has got some gorgeous flowers!! That evening Cristian helped me carry my things to the hotel where my friend Rachel was staying with her husband and then went on his way.
 |
| Flores from Miraflores |
 |
| The Cat Tree, in the Cat Park, by the Cat Church |
It has been 7 years since I saw Rachel, who I had met in Granada, Spain. When I arrived at her hotel it instantly felt like a wonderful little piece of home. Although we never connected in the States, we had shared some fun memories in Spain together; and with the power of Facebook, have managed to keep up with one another for the past 7 years. I met her husband, Paul, who is here with his graduate program working, and couldn't have felt any more welcomed in their beautiful hotel room. We headed out to dinner, in search of seafood (we are in Peru after all), but the restaurant was closed because it was Peruvian Independence Day. Just like many Americans in the US on Christmas, we found ourselves eating Chifa. Chifa, which is not quite Chinese food but pretty darn close, is something that you can only get in Peru. Our waiter recognized Rachel and Paul, and this little old Chinese-Peruvian looking man greeted us all with a fist-bump. Throughout the dinner, I could have sworn that he was a professional mime-comedian. He managed to recommend dishes, take our order, and check-in with us with very few words and some amazing gestures. It was probably the most entertainment I've had in months.
 |
| Peru is ALL about their flag! |
 |
| A Yummy Ceviche Moment |
 |
| Plaza de Armas |
 |
| Rooftop View from Sol de Oro |
The next two days Rachel and I have been able to enjoy together while Paul has had to go to work. We slept in late, ate a Spanish style meal (chocolate con churros with tortilla de patatas) in honor of our Spanish time together, watched some extremely interesting Peruvian television, and strolled around a small artisan fair that is here in the area for the celebrations. She also shared with me some of her favorite food spots, and I have eaten better in the last two days than I maybe ever have. A visit to Plaza de Armas, a great nap, and some last minute gifts for loved ones back home have seemed to bring this trip to a close.
I fly out of Lima this evening, in some ways feeling as though this time has flown, and in others feeling as though I have had experiences that have changed me forever. So many reflections and insights I have gained from this journey fill my heart and mind. I am so grateful to have the life I do, so grateful for Divine provision of everything I needed just as I needed it, and so grateful that I will be returning home to paradise tomorrow. Until the next journey- buen viaje y un abrazo desde Lima!
No comments:
Post a Comment