Visiting Chilean Naval Training Vessel Gets Some Real San Diego Love !

Visiting Chilean Naval Training Vessel Gets Some Real San Diego Love !

Throngs of San Diegans wait to board the Chilean Naval Training Vessel, the Esmeralda visiting the Port of San Diego. The lines stretched for as far as one could see for the 2:00PM to 5:00PM on board visit.

So why was I here standing in line? To take photos. Part of my goal is capture these many events that take place in and around San Diego. And it was actually quite an enjoyable experience. I was welcomed aboard by the Navy crew of the Be 43 Esmeralda and I certainly was not disappointed with their hospitality. For this old but beautiful sailing vessel, as the host city, San Diego put out the welcome mat as only San Diego can do. There is little doubt that the young crew may one day want to return to the host city perhaps even to raise their family life in our wonderful city.

As I was completing the tour and getting ready to exit the craft, there was a line to purchase some spirits and wine from their native country, Chili. The women standing in front of me was from Chili and she purchased some Alto del Carmen Pisco Especial 35% Liquor and I figured she knew what she was buying and decided to purchase some myself that I might give away as gifts. Making my way off the ship, she spoke to me and offered some recipes for enjoying the purchase. Her husband said when the Chileans have a party they always includes this special drink that they gave me the recipe for. Making it all the more cool, there was no import or sales tax on those purchases as the ship is sovereign to Chili and while aborad, it would be like visiting their country.