Valparaiso is a large, magnificent port city about an hour and a half northwest of Santiago. To reach it, you take the metro out to the suburbs and then an hour bus ride. We are staying three nights in hostel luna sonrisa in the Cerro Alegre neighborhood, a UNESCO world heritage site. This is one of several hill communities overlooking the city, that are reached by 15 different acensors (or elevators) that ride take you straight up the side of the hill from the main city. Exploring the area will include visiting the nearby beaches of Vina Del Mar, eating fresh seafood, and wandering around the different hillside neighborhoods. The famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda has at least a couple houses in the area. It is mid summer here so highs are in the 80´s farenheit, with cool breezes in the evenings and mornings. The water is chilly but that does not stop some from venturing out.
