Valparaíso

We took a spontaneous weekend trip to the coast to stay in one of our favorite cities. One night was not enough, but it was great to get a Valpo fix.

Simone's reaction when she saw the incredible view from Cerro Alegre.

Barrio Brasil (but we're still in Chile).

We took a stroll through Barrio Brasil yesterday. Apparently it used to be a pretty well-to-do neighborhood, but it hit hard times in the 1950s. The architecture is really cool. It's a bit gritty and bohemian, but it probably was quite snazzy back in the day.

"Down with the dictatorship of money!!!" (Looks like this block is getting 'Sugarhoused'.)

This mural was done by a collective that tries to recapture the identities of pueblos. Check out their blog if you're interested in seeing more of their work.

Our current neck of the woods

We're staying in an apartment in downtown Santiago in a historic neighborhood called Lastarria. We like Santiago a lot, but this neighborhood has been our favorite. The next few pictures show some streets just beyond our apartment. This is our street. There are always antique vendors during the day.

This mural was dedicated to the poet Gabriela Mistral. It's right below the hill called Cerro Santa Lucía (more photos of the hill to come).

This is the national library, where I have been spending most of my work time, finding old texts about the scouting movement in Chile. Amorette and Simone go off on adventures while I geek out.

Bubby has learned some new tricks here. She can drink a juice box, say "hola" sometimes, oh yeah, and she just started to walk!!! It must be the yerba mate.

chile-bound

parker's been busier than usual preparing for his dissertation proposal and applying for grants and scholarships. we just found out that he was awarded a scholarship to do some research in chile for his dissertation, which means we're headed for santiago this summer. woot woot! we're looking forward to getting together with some friends, enjoying an extra fall this year and eating too many empanadas.

*do you know anyone who wants to rent a sublet house for a couple months in pittsburgh?

(photo by fahrenheit75)