Prior to coming to Chile, Charlene and I had read about the annual New Year's fireworks display in Valparaiso. At that time, we didn't know where we might be living but hoped that we could somehow make our way to Valparaiso for New Year's Eve. As you know, we are now living here, and our apartment building opened the rooftop (17 floors up) as an observation deck for the show. Could we have asked for anything more??!! By the way, living in Valparaiso makes us "Portenos" - citizens of Valparaiso.
Earlier in the day we had cause to visit another spot in town that would also be ideal for viewing the show. Cerro Artilleria overlooks the harbour. The next three photos are of people that had already staked out their spot. This was at 3:oo p.m., 9 hours before the show was to begin!
These people came prepared with all of the necessities. Some just came with bags of beer!!
Thousands of people come to Valparaiso each year for the show, and last year, people were literally camped out on the beaches for days prior December 31. This year, camping on the beach was prohibited because of the garbage that was left behind last year.
Our party consisted of three friends, Bill, Alethea and Susanna, and a feast of finger food prepared by Chef Charlene! Does anybody remember Woody preparing finger sandwiches for a party at Cheers? He had trouble with the knuckles!!
Hats seem to be part of the tradition here, and Bill gets the prize for his Dinosaur sombrero!
It's 11:30, and time to go to the rooftop! Charlene and I missed out on the hat thing!
Though the clock was running out on 2008, there was time for some photos before the corks began to pop!
The ship on the right hand side of the shot is a 4 mast, tall ship. More on that later.
The actual start of the new year sort of snuck up on us. We weren't watching the clock and didn't realize that midnight had passed until some others around us were hugging and kissing. The fireworks started at about 12:05.
The show went on for about 30 minutes, and part of what was amazing was the area that it covered. There were several launch sites along the five miles of coastline and all were synchronized.
Back in the apartment now, that's Bill on the "air" sax! I don't know about the sax, but he does play guitar . . . for real!
We had been looking forward to this night for a long time. Over the years, the traditional New Year's Eve party has lost some of it's luster for us. Perhaps we're getting old, but it isn't unusual for us to be in bed before midnight! Well, this is one that we will remember for many years to come. As amazing as this night was, it was just one of many memories that we have collected on our "Most Excellent Adventure". We start 2009 feeing truly thankful for the opportunity to live in, and experience, another part of the world. In case you're wondering, we got to bed at 3:30 . . . 30 minutes after it turned 2009 in Saskatchewan!
Earlier, I had mentioned the tall ship that was lit up in the harbour. On New Year's Day we went for a walk and got a shot of it. (Sorry but once again, the sun was not my friend!)
The ship belongs to the navy and is a replica of a famous Chilean battle ship. This ship is actually the sixth to carry the name Esmeralda. The first was the frigate Esmeralda captured from the Spanish at Callau, Peru by Admiral Lord Cochrane in 1820. It was sunk in the battle of Iquique in 1879. This version of the Esmeralda was built in Spain and was launched in 1954. It now acts as a floating ambassador for Chile while being a training ship for the navy. Each year a select few cadets are chosen to spend the school year sailing around the world while continuing their education. She is 48.5 meters high and 113 meters long. Amazingly, she carries a crew of about 300 sailors!
The Esmeralda also has a skeleton in it's closet. During the Pinochet rule, the ship was reportedly used as a floating prison. A documentary has been produced and is available through the NFB. Its called "The Dark Side Of The White Lady". The following is a quote from the NFB website.
The Esmeralda is one of the most beautiful sailing vessels in the world. A symbol of national pride, she is the Chilean navy's training vessel. But today, the White Lady, as she is affectionately known to Chileans, can no longer hide her troubled past. After the 1973 coup d'état, she was used as a floating prison in the port of Valparaíso. Thirty years later, as the military authorities continue to deny what happened, impunity reigns. Yet the victims of the dictatorship refuse to be silenced and they are demanding justice.
These are much better pictures that I pulled from the net and are public domain. They were shot at Pearl Harbour in 2006.
Random notes:
We left Saskatoon on August 25th, and that means that we have now been away for just over four months. Incredible! Once we finish the blogs that are currently in progress, there will be 42 editions on line. That translates into about two editions per week! We enjoy the process and think of it as a scrapbook that we can look back on in the years to come. (I have to figure out how to archive it!) In the present, it is for you . . . in the future, it will be for us . . . in the meantime, we hope that you enjoy it!
New Years is also a time to ponder the future. Of course, our future holds a return to Canada and a reunion with family and friends. We now know how and when and are quite excited about it. We will reveal the details as the time draws closer.
Until the next edition . . .
Amor,
Norm and Charlene
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