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Valparaíso

Valparaíso - the city simply for New Year's Eve celebrations! That is not only in the guide, but the Chileans a great swarm of the fireworks over the harbor Valparaiso! So I decide to me to miss this event not to be, as Anna and Mira, the two German volunteers here are from Temuco, spend New Year's Eve, but I travel alone, because the two other previously in Santiago.

goes On Tuesday we start at midnight and at 11 clock in the morning I arrive in Valparaiso. There I was already expecting Max. He is one of three volunteers from the YMCA of Bavaria, will make a voluntary service in Valparaiso YMCA, where I had applied as well, but then I decided against it. Because the YMCA here has a hostel, I can get there, the next day.

ascencor

First I meet Johanna and Neli, the other two volunteers and we do a walk through the beautiful city, rather, we run up some hills. For Valparaiso has 42 hills, from which one has a magnificent view of the harbor. Not wrong, the Unesco World Heritage city of Valparaiso, Steep, cobbled streets, endless staircases and old ascencores (elevators) lead up to the hills. Up on the hills there are numerous miradores , viewpoints from which you can see all the colorful houses of the city. We see many artists and musicians in the streets, and always discover great painted house walls and graffiti.

Food for the homeless

noon, I go with the 3 in one of its projects, on a hill, they help prepare lunch for the homeless, which was launched after the devastating earthquake in February to life. Also, I help with washing the lettuce and cook pasta. After the meal we issued, we will get it and eat with the homeless.

view from the house of Congregacion

Later, the three have a meeting and this time I am profitable and micro , the bus, and ride on one of the more distant Hill to visit the Congregacion. Even here the Congregacion has a house in which live some nuns of the Order, but mainly this is the site retiro, So the retreat. I am rarely moved so fast bus, this still quite high in a van with open doors, rattling the switchbacks. Top Once I will receive a warm welcome, I am learning the sisters there, bring them a gift from Hermana Ema and I will immediately invited to dinner. Then they show me the house and the garden: it is a very large area, the room is available for more than 50 sisters. They offer me the horses at once, that I may stay over night, but I reject with thanks, as I already have somewhere to stay. I still enjoy the view from up here on the bay and say goodbye again. In the evening I go with the others still on the Plaza, there is a lot going on and there is plenty of live music played.

The next morning we have breakfast together and then Show me another project, where they help each week. Also, this is a kind of soup kitchen, where meals are distributed to the homeless. It is interesting to come up with the homeless people to talk and to get an insight into their life situation. From there, Neli and I run back and look at on the way still the market hall. Even before the hall the hell is going on, it is incredibly rich in vegetables and fruit sold on the sidewalk, so that one of sheer people hardly get through.

El Mercado Cardonal

Laura, Mira and I

the afternoon I meet then with Mira, Anna, and other German volunteers of the same organization as the two girls here in Chile are working in different cities. Together we stroll through the streets, look at the Open Air Museum Museo a Cielo Abierto with many beautiful murals and eat delicious ice cream.

Friday morning I walk to the Cerro Bellavista, on whose summit is the residence of Pablo Neruda, Chilean writer and Nobel laureate. On the way up I met a group of travelers, and two Brazilians, a German and a woman from Lithuania. I talk with them, we will look at Neruda's house and enjoy the wonderful view from here. At noon I meet with Mira, Anna and Co at the port to take a boat ride. This is beautiful, you have a great view of Valparaiso and get more information and explanation from the captain.

port Valparaíso

warships

evening we meet at the port to to eat and then go to the Plaza to watch the fireworks with thousands of people. It really is fantastic, the atmosphere on the Plaza is great and after the fireworks me Chileans fall into the arms, one stumbles and each wants Feliz Año Nuevo ! Then we party until early in the morning along with hundreds People on the streets with live music and delicious wine that is served in melons.

spend the last day of my short vacation I in Viña del Mar, the neighboring town of Valparaiso. Neli comes with me and we spend a relaxing New Year's Day, first we go to a cafe and enjoy tasty cakes and spend the afternoon in a park at 17.30 clock I take the bus to Santiago and from there I continue to Temuco, where I arrived at 5:30 clock in the morning.

I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Love, your Heike