In Santiago, the wealthy reside on the mountains, while the less fortunate dwell in the valleys. In contrast, Valparaiso sees the affluent living at the base, with the economically disadvantaged inhabiting the hills.
Comparatively, I am still drawn to the vibrant and colorful city of Valparaiso, where the mountains meet the sea, and the entire city is a canvas of South American magical realism graffiti. As I pulled out my phone to capture the stunning views, a local woman used sign language to caution me: “eyes and phone.” I had to be cautious, as the picturesque scenery is nestled within the old town, which, in essence, is a slum.
Valparaiso is also a significant port, and I even managed to snap a photo with an Antarctic icebreaker at the local terminal. This experience made me regret not visiting Argentina, where tickets to Antarctica are surprisingly affordable, and there might even be last-minute deals available.
