Daughter of Fortune

Travel Guide

We start in Valparaiso – where a small baby, Eliza is left on the doorstep of a the Sommers’ house. It is 1832 and it is a country of contrasts and stunning yet varied scenery.

Eliza grew up watching the Pacific ocean from the balcony of her adoptive parents’ home. Perched on the slopes of a hill overlooking the port of valparaiso, the house was meant to imitate a style then in vogue in London, but the exigences of landscape, climate and life in Chile had forced substantial changes and the result was an unfortunate hodgepodge.

Chile

Eliza’s life in Valparaiso is one of two cultures for she is looked after by the British pair and a Chilean house servant. Her life is sheltered somewhat as Rose is strange and Eliza still knows nothing of her origins. When she grows up, she meets a Chilean boy and falls in love. She feels trapped and free at the same time for as a woman her possibilities at that time are limited whilst Joaquin is able to leave and seek his fortune in California. It is now 1848 – 1855 and the Gold Rush is at its peak.

Chile and her British parents become to represent the limitations they impose. Her journey from this British Colony is one she needs to take.

Valparaiso was –

“….the commercial emporium of the Pacific”

“The British harboured their fleet in Valpariaiso to control the Pacific maritime traffic”

California

Joaquin sets of for California to join the many Chileans who want to get their share of wealth and hope for prosperity. Eliza, soon follows after him in the search for not only him but her freedom, love and independence.

All that glitters is not gold however for wealth can result in greed and loose morals the Gold Fever at its peak is a scene of frantic searching, the fight for supremacy and ultimately greed and dishonour. American natives are forced from their own land, and it becomes every man for himself.

Hundreds of immigrants were flowing in to San Francisco everyday. into the fire scarred city. At that time it is described as a place of chaos – “not much of a town but situated on the beautiful bay in the world”