Author Archives: Reinaldo (old posts)

Valparaiso – The first Port of Chile

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Valparaiso is one of few ports that Chile has. It was the first port of the country and was discovered rather than founded. It has had its moments of success and of despair.

At one time, it was the envy of all other cities in Chile and was known as the gateway to Europe from the Americas. Over time it had gained a new nick name “La Joya del Pacifico” (the jewel of the pacific ocean).

Valparaiso has once again begun to shine as it attracts tourists from Northern America and Europe. Thanks to its UNESCO Heritage status and the cruise ships that visit in summer, Valparaiso is slowly becoming the charming port that every Chilean is so fond of.

Valparaiso’s history starts somewhere around 1536, since then, many events have shaped the city. I plan to begin a series of posts dedicated to the history and present state of Valparaiso, Chile’s first ever port and my place of birth. So stay tuned with the series.

Desiderata

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Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Written in the 1920s by Poet and Lawyer Max Ehrmann

Moka Express coffee

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Bialetti Moka Express

For the coffee enthusiast who doesn’t have an expensive espresso machine, welcome to the old tradition of stove-top brewing.

The moka express pot was patented in 1933 by Italian metal artisan and designer Alfonso Bialetti whose company to this day, continue to make superb coffee makers and kitchen appliances. Continue reading →

Web 2.0 and social networking

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With so much internet activity in the last two years, it is easy to fall behind on new trends with regards to social networking and new online exchanges.

I remember going through some of the hype when I was at school when hotmail started to gain popularity. It wasn’t long before instant messaging – icq, msn, yahoo chat rooms – started taking up all the free time of highschool students, not to mention mobile phones and text messaging.

I was in the loop from the beginning but somewhere along the tack I fell out of the loop and now as an adult I have to discover the new fads on my own.

I think that the emergence of facebook has been a real turning point in the way we create meaningful networks on the internet. Continue reading →