Valdivia for the First Weekend in November

Valdivia was a good city for a weekend stop. Our hostel was comfortable with a large living room with comfy sofas, cable TV & and big picture windows letting in lots of natural light, just off our bedroom. We are pretty much alone up on the second floor though we go down each evening to prepare supper and spend time with the owners speaking spanish and sharing cultural tidbits. The sisters are not big fans of the states and Keith gave them no positive information though he truly is an ambassador in spirit. He is generous, helpful and outgoing, we meet people and 'help change hearts and minds' about the U.S. one person at a time. :)

Though it rained hard about half the time we've been here in Valdivia we were able to see the town and one village outside the city's perimeter, Niebla, where we toured an old fortress built nearly 400 years ago to defend the important shipping inlets. There were five such posts strategically placed so that if the enemy snuck by one there was another awaiting a battle around the river's bend. From the top of the hill there was a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and the many islands between the rivers. Inside a rebuilt building was a historical museum with nice displays in Spanish.




Right across from the fort, at the designated tsunami meeting place, sits a LDS chapel; we have seen one in every town we've visited in Chile thus far. Amazing real estate everywhere. Land is not cheap here, prices are high on everything except fruit, vegetables and bus tickets.

Across the bridge from the city center is the Isle Del Rey, the King's Island, where one of the many universities is located. On the grounds is a lovely botanical garden and fine museums. We enjoyed looking at the incredible antique furniture at a restored home of a beer baron from Germany, the beer factory next door was rebuilt after the big earthquake to house a modern art furniture which was hosting an Earth Day Biodiversity Fair. We watched a depressing documentary about the world's overfishing and the slaughter of dolphins in Japan. It was a great chance for Keith to relax though it took a while to shake the hopeless feeling of the inevitable destruction of our planet's future...



Crossing the bridge we spent a long time watching the sea lions catching some sun rays, up close and personal, much better than Sea World. At the market itself we saw evidence of overfishing wondering where the extra, unsold fish ended up each day. The many sea birds and sea lions waiting behind the market probably get their fair share each afternoon, freeloaders all! Fair gain really since the bounty could have been theirs to begin with.





We have had two lovely Mexican meals here. Today's was exquisite, create and beautifully presented. Finding food on Sunday in Chile, even in a bigger town is difficult. Nearly everything is closed up tight for a day of relaxation.
We have had a nice time relaxing here listening to rain pounding on the roof. I've had time to do some planning for future stops and begin a timeline for December and January which are high season for South American families being summer and all.
I scored some frequent flyer mile tickets from Sao Paulo to Bogota in early February so I feel lucky today!! The tickets were priced at over $2300. each; thank you again American Airlines!!!
Until then it's one bus after another, tomorrow on to Puerto Varas at 2:30. It's only 3 hours, not bad at all, certainly easier than a day in the real world, dressing up and working!