Michael Tyler

With such warm reviews about the city, “Valparaiso with its winding hill side blah… romantic etc… oldest working port, center of commerce blah…” , seemed like the logical next stop off.

Can’t say I was disappointed after a 5 day stay.

Go to bus terminal La Serena to pick up ticket, I pay 4,800.

No problems. Have to hang around to 11.45pm to catch bus.

Late arrival
Arrive and sleep for a while, hang out until bus time then join throng on forecourt.
1 hour later still no bus, go in to consult Tur-Bus attendant.

Am informed at this stage that I should have been waiting on the main highway, not 300 yards away.

This pissed me off severely.

French
La Serena is a bit like France in its approach and attitude toward tourists.
The bus left without me because I was foreign (basically).

This is funny: unfortunately @ 1.45am I don’t see the funny side.

Fuck Tur-Bus.

Is a holiday resort.

The president drafts some drachonian measures to keep architects from turning La Serena into a shanty town.
For that reason, town has a colonial feel.

Av del Mar
Is supposed to be the posh part.

Seems more like Bournemouth.

Fudge girl
See below.

Have a cold.

Capel Pisco
Went to Capel Pisco museum, local corporate identity.

Looked shit.

Chilli
Realised I’ve been spelling Chile wrong.

Have decided to break up journey to Santaigo with trip to observatory in Vicuna, part of the rich Elqui valley region.

Mamalluca Observatory
Is the name of it.
High in the hills.

Gabriel Mistral
She lived was raised then died.
Here’s her picture.