Valparaiso, Chile

Written for The Squeeze

The hills are steep and filled with colorful houses squished together like the favelas in Brazil, the air is salty and the bay of the Pacific Ocean, visible. The energy is unmistakable. This is a city with street culture. Its rebellious graffiti artists who claim their territory with a spray can one blank surface at a time are the heart of this energy and the historical architecture, the port to the sea, and the fast-speaking street vendors give it definition. To walk Valparaíso is to experience this sensory medley.

Street Art and Walking Tours

The street art of Valparaíso is not something that one needs to seek out. Some of the best discoveries are made by accident. The graffiti artists range from goofy teenagers signing their name on a wall, to highly respected and world famous artists like Xavier Prou aka Blek le Rat, father of stencil graffiti.

While street art is highly accessible in Valparaiso, a walking tour can illuminate the history, the attitude, and the messages in a way that will enhance your experience and make you feel like a budding graffiti expert. A walking graffiti tour meets at Plaza Anibel Pinto in front of the Neptune statue at 10:30AM and 3:30PM every day and is tip based.

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Destination Guide: Ushuaia

Written for The Squeeze Magazine

Ushuaia’s (pronounced oo-swy-ah) claim to fame as “the most southern city in the world” draws tourists in, but the town’s charm is much more complex than the cutesy phrase. Although, be sure to indulge and get the Ushuaia passport stamp saying “Fin del Mundo” or “End of the World” in the tourist information building a few blocks from the bus station. More than just an item on your travel checklist or a quick stop before a luxury cruise to Antarctica, Ushuaia keeps visitors’ interest with its many on and off land activities.

Hiking and Tierra del Fuego National Park

Hiking in Ushuaia can entertain for weeks on end as paths lead you to beaver dams, ice caves and crystal clear lakes on terrain ranging from easy to difficult and, at times, treacherously muddy. There are a few different options when searching for a trail.

The Tierra del Fuego National Park is accessible by booking transportation through your hotel or a travel agency. Paying the park entrance fee is required and with it, you will find no shortage of routes to explore the forest, mountains, and glaciers.

Laguna Esmerelda is not a part of the National Park, but is one of the most popular day trips in Ushuaia as the trail through the forest leads you to a transparent lake surrounded by mountains.  If you plan on taking a break and eating your lunch by the lake, be sure to bring some warm clothes!

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