#148 Vina del Mar and Valparaiso graffiti

I went running to a city close by Valparaiso called Vina del mar. It was a nice run especially when seeing a lot of people along the beach practicing some outdoor activity. I went in the evening as the sunset has started to set, it was cooler than the hot days. It was the first time since I left Ecuador to go running outside, but sometimes running in a place like this has a different fun feeling. Not that I lack of physical activity; most of the days I walk for many hours, and with the heat and sunlight it feels as a good exercise especially if you’re in a city that has hills to climb. It’s true when they say that walking is a good exercise.

I visited few museums that were recommended for tourists. I also visited the house of a poet who’s well known in the Latin literature and who won Nobel prize in literature, his name is Pablo Neruda. He had 3 houses and they were converted into museums. He was involved in politics and was in exile in Europe for few years of his life. Similar to other countries in Latin America, Chile went through a lot of political struggles over the year.

The locals always warn you about some neighborhoods and I was surprised to hear the same thing in Chile because I was under the impression this country is safer than other places in Latin America. Unfortunately, these beautiful countries with beautiful and passionate people struggle with social issues that sometimes turn violent. But it should not in any way discourage someone of visiting, enjoying and experiencing this beautiful cultures, otherwise you let the evil wins. I can say that I enjoyed my travel in Latin America more than other places I’ve visited and I will always come back to visit and I encourage everyone to come and experience it regardless of what negative things you might hear from others or from the media.

There’s something I really liked about this city which is Graffiti. Public graffiti is everywhere and has been incorporated into beautiful street art in many neighborhoods. May be the pictures will show some of the artistic feeling of this city.