Day 30: We arrive in Valparaiso, Chile

Santiago to Valparaiso

• Today we transitioned from one Airbnb in Santiago to another in Valparaiso.
• We were picked up at noon by Patricio — a friend of a friend of a friend who drove us the 1 hour 45 minutes to the coast and will pick us up Saturday morning for a ride back to the Santiago airport for our flight to Rio.
• We had a fun, relaxing week in Santiago but by the end we were ready to escape the heat. Valparaíso’s low-70s coastal breeze was a welcome change.
• Quote of the day, during the drive: ““If Airbnb starts with “air,” then why don’t they have air conditioning?” -Willa
• Arrival was a bit of a challenge — our Airbnb host had forgotten to send us some critical entry info. Patricio was a huge help, the door guys at the apt complex were super nice and we finally got in and the place is great. Our host was super apologetic and sent me 15 bucks via Airbnb, hoping I don’t give a shitty review.
• We’re staying on the third floor of an apartment complex a few blocks from the main historical part of town. It’s a 2-floor loft with a roof deck. There is a kitchen, dining room table, sitting area and small balcony on the first floor. Bedrooms and the only bathroom on the second floor. Then a sweet roof deck where I’m writing from right now. Here’s my view…

Strolling Valparaiso

• After unpacking we strolled down the hill into historical Valparaiso.
• Valparaiso is the 3rd largest city in Chile. It’s primarily a seaport and educational center but it has a really cool little historical town that is a combo of San Francisco (super steep streets down to the water) and Cartagena (pastel buildings, graffiti art and just dripping with culture and history… I was walking around thinking: “if these walls could talk). I knew nothing about it before we arrived. Here’s the Wikipedia page if interested.
• We had a late lunch / early dinner at Cafe del Pintor — another rec from friend Nell Constantinople who lived in Santiago for a year or so. (Thanks Nell!)
• Is it bad that we’re ordering Pisco Sours at 3:30pm lunch on a Tuesday?
• We then strolled around the shops, took some pics, hit a mini-mart for some groceries and walked home.

Kids… grrrr

• Kids were not on their best behavior today. Some combination of exhaustion from late bedtimes, a day lacking structure, not enough physical activity and parents with little patience.
• Margaret and I had a chat after they went to bed about our approach on days like this. Bottomline: they are 6 and 4, they aren’t perfect, gotta let more stuff slide. Still getting used to 24/7 with these adorable little rugrats.

Health Update

• We all have felt really good in Santiago despite the heat.
• Then last night Margaret got hit with a mini fever and we were worried she was coming down with something. But she woke up totally fine.
• I woke up super early with really painful stomach pains. Felt shitty all morning but got slowly better as the day has gone on. About 80% now as I write this at 9pm. I always get travelers belly and so I’m just expecting this is one of many this year.
• We were told that our kids would be more healthy on this trip than they would be if they were in a classroom with a dozen other kids every day. Absolutely true. First January that I can remember when neither has had even the slightest runny nose. Hope that continues.