coupled with the major earthquake several years earlier, the demise of Valparaiso was not pretty and is why throughout the city there are many contrasting displays of wealth and poverty.
The neighbourhood and city have beautifully restored traditional houses styled from the many different immigrant families that helped develop Valpo into what it is today. In contrast right next to these finer houses are rundown, dilapidated houses which once upon a time were probably in a similar condition but have since been left to fall apart. The neighbourhood here is also full of bright colourful corrugated iron-clad places. On the walking tour we were informed that the reason for the iron was that this was the only available resource to help waterproof the adobe houses. The corrugated iron was used on the ships that came to Valpo to separate the waste and cargo on board the ship. When unloaded the iron sheets were thrown overboard and the locals used them to cover the walls of their houses.
Valparaiso livened all our senses with its brilliant, vivid artwork, bright houses, gentle ocean breeze, delicious seafood and aromatic wines.