This week on Amanda's Walkabout Adventure

And so across the continent I went... it's been too long since my last update! Let's see you last caught up with your adventurina on the way to Santiago? Well Santiago proved to be much more than just a hub from which to visit Valparaiso and surrounding areas from. This city is full of rich culture and young artistic minds on the rise. From the vast array of graffiti on the wall (ranging from works of art to political satire) to portofolio toting art students, Santiago breathes creativity. I love it! And in Santiago its sentry is the Virgin, not good ol' Jesus this time. So what did my adventure consist of? Well, a visit to the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo, at the Universidad de Catholica there was a Chuck Close exhibit strangely enough, of course a visit to the Virgin in all her glory, though my favorite was the barrio Bellavista at the foot of Cerro San Christobal which was full of incredible art galleries and definitely the heart of the bohemian Chilean culture.
From there was an overnight trip to Valparaiso which as my hostel manager Bobbi (from Baltimore!) instructed- I got lost- meaning by exploring the winding back allies and stone staircases that weave throughout the city's 42 cerros (hills) one can just almost feel like a rat in a maze. However, because the cerros grade down to the ocean there are only 3 directions to figure out and from there find your destination. There are also ascensores a cable car elevator of sorts to take you up to the second or third level of the city in case the stairs look too daunting. I had my first taste of freshly caught Congrio which is chilean eel- so delicious especially while watching the full moon rise over the bay and to the tunes of the horns honking in celebration of Chile's maybe first ever victory over Argentina in futbol.
I would have liked to stay longer in Valpo but a ride across the Andes to Mendoza, in a truck! not a bus! Argentina awaited me back in Santiago (thanks again Randi from Tour d'Afrique! -sorry for the shameless plug!)
And this is where the commercial break gets inserted. -Stay tuned!!!