I am in love with this city, not so much of It at night, but the day is unbelivable.

This city is hilly, full of grafitti and street art (FULL). On a nice sunny day you can see the harbour from all hills and the colourful walls lighten the city.

I was fortunate enough to be present on a Sunday where all school children (so much more disciplined than my school when I was there) marched the streets to honour their countries independence that followed on the Tuesday. Kids from 10 years old to 22 marched proud and well. I felt proud for them too. I do not think I could have seen this in Kenya or anywhere else.

 is known for their elevators. I think in total, they have 41 around the entire city. It is impossible to be fat in Valpo as it is just so hilly, You lose your breath after a couple of steps up! (That goes to show my fitness is CRAP).

When your in the elevator, on the lazy day of walking avoidance, you feel like you are sitting at the beginning of a rollercoaster, the part where you climb up slow waiting in anticipation for the free fall. The feeling was the same, – less the freefall.

Its getting much colder here,  and I can feel the cold getting to my bones. Being in Brazil in bikini weather didn’t really prepare me for this nor did my wardrobe. (I know if my aunt reads this she is going to tell me – I told you to take some warm clothes!! haha I know she will message me with a see i told you message.

Anyways, The following tuesday the official military were going to march the streets and the Chilean president would pass the streets. I wanted to escape from the city and move to a tranquil place. I knew that would be havoc. I asked around for some information as to what I can do and one guy adviced me to take a bus to concon and see the sanddunes and he said there is a rock where their are sea lions.

Im in!

Half an hour to Concon and it was a pretty cool ride. A bus with matatu features. Reggaetton played load which was really entertaining and gave a little ambience to the full bus.

I cant emphasise how beautiful this part of Valpa is. I think this is the first time I am on the South Pacific. The waters were a mesmerizing blue green and the views from the dune were amazing. I just sat and took time to reflect. I know I always say this but at that point I felt present and really happy to be there. 

I was slightly confused at the sea lion bit. I didnt see any and it didnt look like there would be any. Its around 5.30pm and I cant find a bus back. I end up walking for around 40 minutes when I see a couple of people sitting on the ledge of wall and facing the sea. I decided to join them only to realise that I was looking at the wrong rock and this rock had the sealions. In complete silence with the view of the sun setting it was the first time that I had seen Sea lions in their natural environment. The cold was getting to me but I didnt care.

Back to Valpa, back to my hostel. Walking at night to get some food wasnt the greatest of ideas.

So I just recently heard from a friend Jermey that Valpa used to be a pirate city and at night its completely creepy. I got really bad vibes and got a really yuck pizza and went home.

Days in Valpa were slow and tranquil. I love this city and walking around from one neighbourhood to another is a complete contrast. One minute you feel like your in a comic book filled with colours and the next neighbourhood I felt like I was on Baricho Road completely industrial and the makita tools reminded me completely of Ambar.

I need adventure and I know Its time for one! Its time for me to get onto a 26 hour bus to the DRIEST PLACE ON EARTH – San Pedro De Atacama!!