Santiago | Street Art and Poetry | The street art in Bellavista and neighboring Recoleta is, in a word, impressive. Some by established painters, othe

street art - Fernwayer Travel Stories & Experiences

Chile

The street art in Bellavista and neighboring Recoleta is, in a word, impressive. Some by established painters, others by anonymous artists working in the night.

Colorful, intricate, thought-provoking, and a clever mix of hip hop and political slant.

“I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul.” ~Pablo Neruda

If you go, check out the art in the streets of Dardignac, Bombero Nuñez, Pio Nono and Purisima.

Street Art and Poetry

United States

China

The charming, well-preserved streetscapes of the heritage town in Old Lijiang Is perfect for getting lost  The winding streets lure you in - and shops selling Tiquanyin tea, handmade paper, musical drums, souvenirs and food vie for the attention of tourists. 

The Naxi people of Lijiang are proud, artistic and musically talented. It's a matriarchal society, one that I relate well to, and I enjoyed my interactions with the wise women I meet.

In the market square in Lijiang Old Town, groups of Naxi women get together to perform a few dances. There is no clear structure for their activity, and the women seem to be on their own schedule - some leave after a couple of dances, others hang around. Besides their traditional costume, what is common among them is their energy and zest for life.

Lost in Old Lijiang

Greece

Pyrgos is a trendy hilltop medieval village. It’s full of little winding, narrow streets constructed haphazardly on the hills alongside multi-colored houses and doors. We lose our way several times and keep looping back to the same point .. using that as an excuse to check out yet another local art gallery constructed unobtrusively into the hillside. 

During the 15th and 16th century, the locals defended themselves from pirates by erecting kastelias .. fortified buildings. Pyrgos has the best example of these medieval buildings on the island. It also has the oldest churches.

We stop at a home with a large blue door .. and the views are stunning but give an impression that Santorini is flat and covered by vineyards instead of being a caldera. 

The one fascinating feature of homes here is a long, deep chimney for ventilation. And the strong winds make howling noises through the chimneys.

In Pyrgos, we visited vineyards ... but that’s a different story.

Old Blue Doors

Italy

A slow-paced night photo walk. On foot over odd shaped cobblestones. 

It does not start well as it starts raining even as we take a cab to Pantheon to meet our local photographer and lose a wallet in the cab. We miraculously get It back (another story) and we start our walk .. lethargic, in deference to summer, but still aware of art and life.

We walk from the Pantheon through Piazza Navona to Ponte Vittorio Emmanuel for views over to the Vatican.  The streets are wet, and Piazza Navona is teeming with Romans doing la passeggiata, an evening ritual I wish we could reapply in other cities. 

Later, joining the locals in their celebration of Summer along River Tiber (Lungo il Tivera Roma) well into midnight, it is easy to forget all about work and settle more definitively into a vacation frame-of-mind. 

Afterwards, a stroll to Campidoglio for priceless views of the illuminated Roman Forum, seems like just the thing to do.

To Rome, With Love

Morocco

The riad sends a donkey called Couscous to meet us and pick up the luggage; the taxi will only go so far into the medina. 

As our merry procession winds through the narrow, confusing alleyways, we panic slightly. No problem, says a djelleba-clad staff member, you’ll have a map and cell phone to call if you’re lost. But he graciously accompanies us to our dinner booking and explains how we should get back to the riad. We leave invisible bread crumbs along the way – kebab shop, sweets stall, bakery etc. 

After a long meal, at 11:30 pm, the souks have closed, the streets look very different, and our bread crumbs have obviously gone to bed. It takes two wrong turns and much poring over the map before we find our way back. Our sense of adventure is fully piqued. 

Inside, the restored riad is palatial, with courtyards, heated pool, tiled terraces and stylish artwork. Breakfast is whenever you want, and wherever, says the charming Afaf. 

Shall we move in permanently, we wonder.

Chile

Santiago Metropolitan Region

Street Art and Poetry

China

Yunnan

Lost in Old Lijiang

Greece

Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

Old Blue Doors

Italy

Lazio

To Rome, With Love

Morocco

Marrakesh-Safi

Riad Living