Friday, October 30, 2009

Cruising Men In Sauna

New Road Valparaiso website Carnaval Mil Tambores


Love your village and you will be universal. Leo Tolstoy


long time he was working on this project. I really wanted to renew the old website Road Valparaiso, who had already served his time. However, I wanted keep the initial concept through deeper and modify the graph.

Whenever I faced the design of my website I plan to do, more than a place on my small business of City Tours, one that highlights the city and its attractions to position it as a tourist destination. Of course the end of all are my routes and my offers. Marketing is implemented, I am an entrepreneur and looking for my options.

But it is also a way to share, to become part of the process that exists in the city. To gather in one place a long time internet browsing and collect lots of interesting information.

Already in my first site, looking for something similar. The effect was very good and impressive ranking in Google. Had a history, safety pins, parts lists, etc.. The best was a map that I designed block by block, to transform it into an interactive map that became the star of the site. By that time I had no idea what it was or meant Internet. I thought so, but could not get to understand its scope, only sensed it. That design that no longer exists was made without having the slightest idea what it means to navigate. Also had no knowledge of graphic software to design web sites. I managed and Soft Line Mauricio Henríquez was carried out, fully respecting the original design.
I've always liked
autonomy and not having to depend on anyone's hands. If I can make myself better. I braced myself, I learned, I practiced to be ready to face the new design I am presenting.

As I am tour guide, I can not leave my professional bias aside and be guided by the new site.


Home: Two menu options to navigate to same pages and the presentation of the most important items. The site is in three languages, the most requested by passengers who are coming to Valparaiso and to extend basic information about the city. We have always thought that an English version and is not well enough. Will open new markets for Valparaiso if things easier for those seeking information.

History: For my work as a guide, I've always wanted lots of information on the Internet. Surely all the tour guides do. I always thought it would be good to find a compilation of information in one place. Something that would facilitate things or the tip of a thread to pull the information and simply unwind. Also share these years of sailing to those who need it. To my fellow guides will send you the link on this page to find what they seek in terms of historical information. Also, I like to imagine the idea of \u200b\u200beducational input on Valparaiso. Much is said that not educated on the city and its heritage. The time line is designed and has easy to use reference information on the historical fact followed by a link to delve into the issue if desired. For homework, study or simple interest, time line will help a lot since the discovery, through the pirates, elevators, Flach submarine, Panama Canal and appointment of an area as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Valparaiso Info: is my favorite of the entire site. Designing information about Valparaiso, explain what it is and what the city is a pleasure for me. A beautiful panoramic photograph of the city taken by one of my passengers cause the same effect as when I start my circuits in the viewpoint from which it was taken. The first meeting with Valparaiso.
photos, technical specifications and my favorite section, experiences from Buenos Aires.

This section is a compilation of things and activities that become large safety pins (Highlights) for those who want to experience the city. Are details of our own identity, one that interests me both validate.
Put it this way: when you visit a famous city in the world, including Rio de Janeiro or Paris, just to see an important place, its iconographic tourism and the presence or, better yet, touch it, you say. I was there !!!!!. That's what happens with Christ the Redeemer in Rio and the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
In Valparaiso we have not yet placed there iconography. Exists, but is not positioned a world in a way that translates itself that the city is. Of course the lifts are the place that synthesize themselves, like logo, which is Valparaiso. But I doubt it happens that some Berlin or New York to show her a picture of an elevator and say: Ahhhhhh!! It Valparaíso - Chile.
So are a number of safety pins or activities which may be of interest to excite and engage foreign publics.
photos, text and short videos account for some of the many things that define us as a city and identity. Of course there are many more but these are what I found out and are also interesting I usually show in my circuits. From an elevator ride, passing through the famous tour boat in the bay, traditional pubs, The Chorrillana, New Year's Eve at sea.

Interactive Map: Google's technology and its many possibilities left outdated map that I drew my old block by block. I added the Google map to my site which gives the possibility to see the satellite picture of the city. The icons belong to me and the information displayed gives the possibility to add pictures, information and videos. It is a good way to play to make an interactive circuit around the city. I'm still adding information to this map will be updated periodically.

Photo: This page is a gift for my passengers. Usually take pictures of them that I send a link. They can visit the site and remember your tour in the city.

About Us: is the corporate site. It explained what the concept of what we do and what is the way to go. Also stressed people tend to work with me. We are forming a team, made me satisfied.

City Tours: programs we are offering. We wanted to go a step further, creating new channels and new ideas. The best way to empower them is bring them to market.

This article Valparaiso Ventures is the official launch of the site. I hope you enjoy them and hope that it becomes an input to which is the great struggle of Valparaiso to preserve its identity and promoted as a tourist destination. Interesting times ahead, we want and start to fight for a Valparaiso Law and the "Plan Course" is starting to adjust their charts toward the positioning of the city.

Here's a bit.

Leo Silva.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sample Letter To Conduct A Community Service



About my previous post on the Grassroots, an organization of citizens born in Valparaiso have a carnival that suddenly was born, soon showed that he had regularly, suddenly grew and caught our attention. This carnival is not a given "official" like the Cultural Carnival. Born of the hands of their managers, those who dreamed, designed it, it gave birth, he was promoted and have already taken to the streets for ten consecutive years. This street carnival season opens almost art in the city. After this activity are others, with lots of music, drama, exhibitions, bringing a lovely Valparaiso cultural and bohemian atmosphere.

Mil Carnival of the drums is just a good example of a "Grassroots" to the Chilean and fills me with hope that those who organized this carnival are mostly young. It is an alternative organization of people with obvious trend libertarian than 10 years ago walked around the nut in the form of struggle and led this wonderful carnival.

In 1999 the show was conceived to regain a place, the former Feria del Mar, as public space. Since then its realization is linked to a topic of interest to citizens, in this way they cause effects drums, paint their bodies, dance and emphasize, underline, make clear to the public a topic that needs attention.

Thus, they have gone through the defense and recovery of the former prison of Valparaiso, for the recovery of the broken Santa Maria today is the Park of Arts Violeta Parra and promote the formation of schools where Carnival: school , universities, cultural centers, etc.


I find it very interesting, because his work is diverse and varied, not only refers to the parade and festivities in the fishing coves. They make a concentration of young people where each other are taught percussion workshops, circus, dance, juggling, stilts. The week the Carnival is done, they still have many more activities in the cultural park stage.

When it began, was a surprise to see the carnival in the street. While saying they were a thousand drums did not seem very important. You saw a group of kids marching in a parade modest. In a place where there is no culture of carnival, where we have this tradition, passed the members of the groups learning to do a carnival and an attitude of pride, they had got the space, were in the street with police opening and closing step column.

Over time this carnival started calling more attention. In a way we were forced to turn their heads to their step, tip drums demanded our attention and began to develop a tradition as are the painted bodies, girls who paint their naked bodies before the parade in a square. People throng to see this activity and then painted bodies are one of the street parades.

issues of implementation have been mixed. Last year was the right to public education this year, the Constituent Assembly, calling on citizens to take a stand and join in to redesign the Constitution. NOTE

Here we did with Francisca Silva Thousand Drums Parade.

Production has been increasing. In addition to his blog now find them on Facebook and have an awesome and beautiful website , with a design full of locals identity details. With all this, the Carnival of the Thousand drums have the charm of handmade, no major flooding of production. Still not a monster carnival and this becomes his main strength. It's lovely to see the participation. The friends are, some are marching and greet others. It emphasizes the participation of many people including many children who march in parades or batuque the pair of larger. No matter that we are not great dancers, our pace not compare to those of the Brazilians. I love this concept to Chile, a little messy, with the good will that lets you mix between the groups, and ending up dancing at the end of the liveliest. The environment is not violence, is of camaraderie and fellowship. Jump, dance crammed with people and there is no problem.

still lacks a lot of growing and long way to go. Brazilian batucada persists that it eventually begins to sound strangely Chile. I would like to see more extras Mapuche in between, and above all, more parades to pay tribute to the carnival in northern Chile. Diabladas Morenadas and would very strongly to this carnival, great music bands north already present and no doubt feel their power.

Surely the Thousand Drums Carnival will grow and will be positioned. I am sure that if pressed, can become a milestone expected in October. The production will also grow and improve, just hope you always keep that character charming city and the nerve that allows you to join in the party between the groups and dance in a healthy mess in Parque Italia.

main thing is done and must be looked after. And gained the street, and is ten years, and it belongs to all the locals.

Congratulations to all who dream of and what organizations had created their own forces, and proposed solution. Have given a great gift to the city and have taught us that social organization is still possible.

I do not miss the next Carnival of the Thousand drums. Hope to see you dancing and enjoying Parque Italia. Leo Silva

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Monica Roccaforte All Movies

Grassroots. How do you cook it? Elevator


In my last article on the elevators of Valparaiso received a comment that caught my attention.

Bernhard Kerscher, German living in Chile, academic director of a prestigious school in the area, assertively left little criticism of the Chilean commitment to its heritage, especially concerning the locals and emotional tendency to sing "The Jewel of the Pacific" and stop their involvement in the closing stages of the waltz. But he also dropped a term unknown in Chile both in form and substance. Grassroots

. (Grass Roots)

I quote: "... I see so little awareness of most people about their cultural heritage that I can not imagine an organization " grassroots "protests coordinate necessary ..." The

Grassroots referred a civic organization of bases. If not understood, the organization of the people, citizenship. One that comes together and moves his work proactively to local and community level. Organized protests, printed pamphlets, attention, etc. However, do not stay in the street protest, beyond making proposals, getting signatures, calling on organizations, seeking resources, etc.

Googling the term I found that they, the Americans, have so taken this concept and value it so much that they even have blogs and web sites advice guides on how to Grassroots. They complain, bring to the public, saying, counselors, hold hands beyond.

http://www.alanamoceri.com/

http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/

They, the gringos, are very clear that there is no civic organization government possible. They know very well that the government governs the major issues, but are the citizens who are committed to put their problems on the first page and most end up proposing a solution themselves. Thus, planted trees, arranged seats and achieve things old enough to stop the demolition of a building and promoting their rehabilitation and reuse. Emphasize where their interests.

There are several gringos working in the city and seems to be that they would turn things. They know very well how to articulate, where to go, where to get funds, they know negotiate, do not marry anyone, independent, proactive, create foundations and propose solutions that work, and many of them are put into reality.

Sometimes my passengers, seeing the obvious danger of a view in a gazebo by the construction of a building, or the sorry state of our lifts me say: But Leo, why do not you organize??. Do not know how hard it is that here, I tell myself.

do we pass this to us?? Why can not we organizations to carry forward and with positive results??

In my opinion, it costs us a lot to be efficient or effective. People can not act in dialogue. Chile has a hard time to be up front without this meaning a confrontation. We usually round and round in our ideas and we ended up diverting the subject, we are little persistent and very pessimistic and disenchanted us at the first hurdle (I told you it would not be ...). Distrust of others and their intentions, we can play with them and put them on our behalf. The meetings here are a mess of vilification that, very generally end on a personal level. Here, when we intend to participate in organization, we tend to run, dodging responsibility. That is going to take time, which is a can a meeting on weekends or after work and above all aware that we end up having a bad time. Our

civic organizations have just always protest against the government building, regional government, administration, etc. to demand what we want and we can not achieve by ourselves. We always want another take and this is what we mean by political protest.

is impressive, but if you search the internet you can find that in Europe, for example, are published guidebooks (Handbooks) up for squatter or squatting. What do qué no hacer, cómo hacerlo, sugerencias, recomendaciones, datos; todo respaldado legalmente con abogados que prestan asesorías en caso necesario y que se han especializado en el tema. Qué diferencia, dios mío!!!

Qué diferente sería si los ciudadanos se organizaran en sus barrios para proteger su ascensor, promoviendo y proponiendo la solución más allá de pedirle al ministro de transporte que se haga cargo. Qué diferente sería si una organización de vecinos actuara en contra de la demolición del edificio que albergó a la compañía Chilena de Tabacos en barrio Almendral, porque es un patrimonio que aportó al dibujo urbano del sector convirtiéndose en un referente and proposing, for example, is transformed into a hotel or a museum or cultural center city. How different would be if people did not just look with resignation and apathy what is happening around him in a place that is wealth everywhere, and where this can be transformed into the BIG CITY BUSINESS.

In one of my last tour, talking about the concept of civic organization in response to a query from a British passenger on heritage protection in Valparaiso, we reached a bizarre but imaginative allegory. I said,

.- I love to do a lobotomy on one of you and find the chip that says "Grassroots" to study and finally inserted into the brains of our citizens.

.- Yeah!. She said. I would love to do likewise and find in you the chip that says "Dance". Leo Silva

Friday, September 25, 2009

Actresses That Have Shown Their Boobs

Dilemma: ascend or descend? Valparaiso

was considering different topics to develop in the adventures, however the latest news about the closure of three of the elevators of Valparaiso me shudder.

already a couple of days ago had a breakthrough on this issue. I was leading a group of Frenchmen in the elevator Larraín, showing from the street because it only works in the rush hour. Was giving explanations and a lady approached me and told me to wait to tell me about something. I had to leave my passengers for a few seconds to meet the lady.

Lord, I told you that shows both of these lifts, you can do something for it to work again full time?? You see, we go up and down the scales and lift served us well.

I had to tell could not do anything. I would therefore have told him that he could do everything. However, only show the elevators and the city. Although people see in me someone who articulates things in this matter I'm so hands tied and as perplexed as the rest of the inhabitants of the city.

The text of the consultation Mrs reveals one of the dramas of the closure of lifts: the daily life of Buenos Aires who uses them as means of transport. This social tragedy is the least appreciated, least publicized. Given the grandeur of being considered monuments and heritage tourism events, the concern of the hill Mrs. Larraín is reduced to a detail. Dramatic but true.

The debacle of the elevators has been a crescendo, reflecting the lack of vision and management of all involved in its maintenance. But we must also be critical of ourselves, the inhabitants of the city still slept a deep sleep and hope that others solve problems that we should take into our own hands , organizing, searching for solutions, being restless and active and not passive.

Let us briefly review the status of elevators, as the tragedy of the closing of Monjas, Mariposa and Florida is only part of the delicate situation of years and are living our cable cars. Elevator

Baron ( Administration: City of Valparaiso ): closed several years ago by a problem in your machine. In the engine room had a simple but beautiful exhibition of old photographs of all elevators. The room has been ransacked and gone all photographs and old tools. The elevator and shows signs of neglect and their cars look graffiti. Elevator

Dairy ( Administration: Private ): Detained about two years ago by a fire in the base station realized one of their cars. Private elevator is the only city that belongs to Don Justo Maturana (or belonged not know if your situation has changed.) In the place of today's base station is a place to park cars. Elevator

Larraín ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) Operating from a few months ago only prime-time movement. Bad sign for the lifts were closed just opened only at times of high motion. Polanco Elevator

( Administration: City of Valparaiso ): Running on schedule continued, but her condition is critical and must often be stopped for repairs. That is the only lift as such makes a great tourist destination area. Elevator

Nuns ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) Recently Closed

Elevator Mariposa ( Administration: Comp. Of mechanical lifts Valpo .) Recently Closed

Florida Elevator ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .): Just shut

Elevator Holy Spirit ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) Operating and he looks healthy. Sector reaches the Open Air Museum, an area of \u200b\u200bgrowing interest. Elevator

Queen Victoria ( Administration: City of Valparaiso ): recently repaired and made operational. It is one of the entrances to one of the most touristy areas of the city. Concepción Elevator

( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) function and health. It is one of the elevators where you can see repairs and alterations in their cars. One of the most moving elevator has therefore reached the most touristy part of town. Elevator

Pear ( Administration: City of Valparaiso ): Operating . It is also access to an area of \u200b\u200bgreat interest. Elevator

San Augustine ( Administration: City of Valparaiso ): recently repaired but apparently it works only in times of great movement public. Elevator

Cordillera ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) not know if it's working, I can only say that every time I pass the place I see it stopped. This lift experienced a change in its base station completely out of care assets. Calle Serrano was subsequently amended under a historicist concept with its cobbled streets. This results is evidence of the horrible change in the base station of the lift. Elevator

Artillery ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) function and health. You can also appreciate the constant care of their stations and the entire site. Provides access to an area of \u200b\u200bgreat interest to tourists is the most visited by companies moving cruise passengers. In high season you can see the lines of people waiting for the elevator.

Villaseca Elevator ( Administration: Comp. In mechanical lifts Valpo .) Closed for work performed in the area of \u200b\u200bthe new port access. This work is completed and the elevator has not yet put into operation.

In my particular case, has been dramatic since I saw them fall one by one. It began with my Elevator circuits followed Baron and to Dairy. Then I had to move and now I have only Larraín Polanco in the area of \u200b\u200bArgentina Av. He also used to show Florida. No longer do I have.

A reflection on the elevator stopped, the idle time is deteriorating machinery and structures, making it even more complex and expensive to put into activity again. Each day that passes, the situation is complicated.

A reflection on the lifts running: Most of those who are healthy or show are shortcuts to areas of interest, making the elevator in place of the appeal and therefore, taking large numbers of people.

This makes us realizing that the big problem with the elevators of Valparaiso is its commercial management. Apart, of course, when they suffer a breakdown in machinery and structures that are obvious problems of old age. If the elevator had been closed a good flow of passengers would not have been necessary to close and could have been promoting using their own resources. An elevator is a business and who manages it must constantly strive to get passengers and not rely on captive flow gives its sector. As an employer, who administers the elevators must use their creativity and their management capabilities rather than rely on the remote possibility, that the state will subsidize or give resources to keep your business.

This immediately reminds me of a project that worked very well and when being carried out, I thought it would serve as a precedent for future efforts. I refer to the project of "One Lift a neighborhood" that powered the Fundación Valparaíso.

Before developing this point, allow me the freedom to declare, with Bible in hand, I have no connection with the Valparaiso Foundation, nor with its founder Todd Temkin, rather than a profound admiration for their management and constant concern for the public issues, and constantly at the forefront of heritage projects, always active and proactive. I say this to avoid the national natural distrust. I am quite independent and my opinion is only a more Buenos Aires.

Foundation commissioned a study with respect to lifts, providing the extreme situation in which they are at this time. Remember that the elevators of Valparaiso were named one of the 100 monuments of the world's most endangered by the NGO World Monuments Fund.

The study commissioned showed them the interesting conclusion that if the neighborhood which is potentiated by a lift, it immediately improved the goodwill of the place and as a side effect the lift improved its passenger movements. The Foundation implemented this theory in the neighborhood where the elevator reaches the Holy Spirit. Resources were obtained, paintings, became involved in their neighborhood and citizen participation, no speeches, but with proposals: design students competed to submit draft paintings of houses, residents chose the one that identified them and that we now have the neighborhood Bellavista, where is the Open Air Museum (also a bit left to die), the beautiful postcard of colorful houses and the Holy Spirit lift with a steady stream of passengers visiting the area up to the house of Neruda "La Sebastiana". Really clever Gringo, my congratulations.
This is precisely the way forward. The elevators are not alone. Are closely related to the neighborhood where they arrive, are part of the identity of the sector and if necessary to intervene, one must start by finding out what is happening in the area to which they belong.

An example of this would be a lift Baron and Dairy. Today, both elevators go directly to Av multistorey conglomerate Argentina - Baron sector. There is also an area of \u200b\u200binterest and public space and walk Wheelwright Muelle Barón. Why do not involve these multistorey car in the recovery of its neighbors lifts??. Put large signs advertising their willingness, their attitude of good neighbors, etc.. This helps to position your brand and corporate identity generates the sector. It's marketing and property management and is adding two streams of customers to the doors of their businesses. By the way the lifts would be working with number of passengers, which would give them a better economic situation.

Today we have are the big news of discussions between City of Valparaiso, Regional Government, the National Monuments Council, Department of Heritage, etc. Some say one thing, the other replies, they all throw the ball and three lifts are closed and others are in danger of closing. Projects announced with pomp, ideas relating to lifts with Trolleybuses and Merval, ideas and more projects, and the only possible solution to their knees to ask the state to provide funds to care for the elevators.

Of the money that the Bank contributed to the care of the lifts, better not ask. That would give for another column, for an investigation and probably for auditing. Today

asset management must be built on creativity, it must be through commercial management, the development of the sites taking into account their identity and turn it into a product that resource. That proved the project "A Lift One Neighborhood."

15 elevators have property in Valparaiso is a luxury.

not caring, not power, abandon and close is a spree. Leo Silva