Not much today except for the Diplomatic incident!!
Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar is the playground for Santiago folks who need to get out of the city at the weekend. I cannot say that the city is lovely but there is something about it that makes me very comfortable. The city was originally built on the narrow stretch of land between the sea and the mountains, but has spread up the hills to make a patchwork of housing stretching far up into the hills. Some of the older buildings are superb but in real need of refurbishment and repair. Several of the nicest building collapsed in the latest earthquake! Other fared better but everywhere builders are repairing and strengthening the homes, offices and factories.
As I stated the Tall ships are in port and I have added some more photos because the weather has been extremely kind and the sun has been out for 2 days making some good shots possible.
Further down the coast is Vina Del Mar where there are beaches and swimming areas I visited today but the sea is very cold from the Humboldt Current that sweeps up the coast from the Antarctic. Of course this brings fish and where there are fish you get sea lions.
Two Concerts have been held on the last 2 nights. Tonight the Chilean Navy band gave a superb concert in the main square in front of the Navy Building there must have been several thousand people there.
Last Night the Argentinean Navy band gave a concert in Victoria square. Again it was great until they asked for requests so of course I asked them to play “Rule Britannia”. If they let me out of this cell I’ll write later in the week!!!!
Chow!
