Past due for an update . . .

I'm sorry for keeping ya'll waiting for so long with this update. Things have been crazy busy since I got back. Seems like my teachers saved all my homework and assignments for the last month!! I am still in shock that I only have 2 more weeks of class left before finals. I can't even believe how fast the time has gone by!! Everything here is still going really well. I've been feeling a little bored and stir-crazy lately though. Probably because I've been stuck in the apartment working more than I would like to. Plus, I'm honestly just getting sick of Santiago. Its so expensive and everyone just does all the same things here that you can do anywhere else in the world- movies, restaurants, clubs, etc. I'm definitely ready to go and see some of Chile's real treasures aka Patagonia, Easter Island, and La Serena! Less than a month now until Colin comes and we start our adventure!! YAY :)

Meanwhile, I've got FOTOS to share. I'm going to share my fotos from San Pedro today and later on this week I will post my pics from Buenos Aires (which I have a lot less of), deal?!

So, a little bit about San Pedro de Atacama: this town and commune is located in El Loa Province east of Antofogasta and southeast of Calama. It has grown, over centures, around an oasis in the Atacama desert. The Atacama is one of the driest places on Earth, and is virtually sterile because it is blocked from moisture on both sides by the Andes mountains and the Chilean Coast Range. The town lies at an average altitude of 7,900 ft and visitors often experience mild altitude sickness (I didn't have any problems except shortness of breath while climbing). In the past it was found that the town's water supply is naturally contaminated with high levels of arsenic (60 times the WHO recommended maximum for any ET peeps reading this)! Many people say the indigenous people have developed a tolerance to this metal and drink the water with little to no ill effects. Not really sure I believe that though. This area is also home to some of the largest volcanoes of the Los Andes cordillera.

Today, San Pedro's population is about 2,500. The main economic activity is tourism followed by small farming. The town itself is a very small area of restaurants, shops, tourist agencies and hotels/hostels. There is also a small archaelogical museum, a small central plaza, a clinic as well as a church and a few banks as well. The town is the main "hopping off" point to see many of the most popular sights in the north of Chile including El Tatio geyser field, La Valle de la Luna, el Salar de Atacama, Chaxa Lagoon, Puritama Hot Springs and many others.

Our first excursion was to see Quitor, a beautiful pre-hispanic fort and the breathtaking Valle de la Luna afterwards.











We also visited the small towns of Toconao and Camar, as well as Los Flamencos National Reserve (where Chaxca Lagoon is located). We also visited a small monument in the middle of the desert that marks the Tropic of Capricorn and part of the Inca Trail.


















We also happened to be visiting this area when the Day of the Dead was being celebrated. These pictures are from the cementary in Camar. As you can see, it is a very special day and a lot of time and energy goes into decorating before the celebration. It was really beautiful to see!




During my trip we also visited the Puritama Hot Springs which was quite a treat. But, I didn't even dare bring my camera there for fear of it getting wet.

Meanwhile, I will post pics from Buenos Aires soon. Enjoy these for now!