where i'm bound: July 2009

trip within a trip wrapup

If you are just starting to read this, you can get a better chronologically correct recount of my past 2 and half weeks spent backpacking through Northern Chile and Peru by going back a few posts to the start.

In conclusion... after Iquiqui it was 26 hours in bus to Santiago and then a mere 10 more to Valdivia bring the grand total to 123 hours in buses over 2 and a half weeks. Overall, a great trip, tiring on the body and bank account, but I can say I really made the most of my time here in my vacation from school. I saw many things that most won't see in there life time, but also made time to relax and enjoy new friendships.

Now, I am back "home" in Valdivia and school starts up again next monday, and it's time to buckle down for the next 4 months. I need to: not spend any more money frivolously, do my best to teach and make a difference with my students, practice practice practice the ol' Espanol, and make the most of living in a different culture even though I am starting to miss America. Also, I need to update the blog more regularly. I still haven't posted pictures of Valdivia ( i'm saving up for that one).

En fin, gracias Chile, gracias Peru.

trip within a trip pt. 11: Iquique, Chile

Now for the getting back home. From Cusco back to Arequipa back to Tacna, cross the border, back to Arica we then went to Iquique another coastal town in Northern Chile to stay for the night after a ton of bus time. (total so far: 87 hours) It was very nice. As you can see I was really tired of taking pictures by this point so you'll have to take my word for it. As far as a beach/resort type city Iquique is the nicest in Chile and the weather was really great. There's a really great wooden boardwalk along the beach that we walked along and rested up before the 26 hour bus back to Santiago. It's usually compared to Miami, but since I dont Miami I will say it's the Chilean San Diego. If you want more pictures of the Iquiqui coastline, google it, I'm tired. This was the last stop before going home.

trip within a trip pt. 10: Macchu Picchu

Finally, after a bus-train-bus combo from Cusco, we arrived at Macchu Picchu. Really can't start to explain it here, its something you have to see for yourself. Macchu Picchu is the name of the mountain, the name of the ruins of the city is unknown but it was a special spiritual place for the Incans. The ruins themselves are quite interesting, but the real draw is the incredible natural beauty that comes from being up on the mountain and the surrounding landscapes. As you can tell from the pictures it was kind of cloudy and rainy the day I was there, which may take away from pictures, but didnt make being there any less awe-inspiring. It's expensive and full of tourists, but it's such a unique place that it is really worth the trouble of getting there. I wish I had the time, and money, to do the 5 day Incan trail hike from Cusco up to the mountain, but I'll do that when I come back in 20-30 years. We did it in one long day trip from Cusco,( bringing total bus time to 67 hours) and saw all the ruins/ mountains but I would of like to be out in this beautiful wilderness longer. It really is unlike any other place I have been, with how green it is (it is part of the Amazonian rainforest) but combined with the huge mountains. Incredible. This was the ultimate stop of the whole trip and it didn't disappoint.

trip within a trip pt. 9: Cusco, Peru

From Arequipa to Cusco was a super fun (sarcasm) 10 hour bus ride. (total bus time 61 hours) Cusco is a very pretty coty and is very culturally and historically important for being the Incan capital. There are many old Spanish buildings and the Incan culture is still present in Peruvian society in Cusco. I was feeling altitude sickness again here, but I tried the Incan solution of chewing on Coca leaves and it worked like a charm, though the taste wasnt the best. This city also seemed to be overran by tourists in the downtown part, making it a bit more expensive than it should be, but I guess thats the nature of the game. We spent one day here before going to Macchu Picchu. Im drawing a blank on a city comparison, theres nothing this old in the USA.

trip within a trip pt. 8: Arequipa, Peru

After, Arica we crossed the border (which was suprisingly quick and easy) and made it to the town of Tacna, in Peru. From there it was a supposedly 5 hour bus ride to Arequipa which turned out to be a 8 hour bus ride. (total bus time = 51 hours) We got it late and stayed the night, the next day we spent the day mostly near the beautiful town Plaza and other various sites walking around, before our night bus to Cusco. A very pretty city in some parts, there's a river that runs through it. I'll call it the Peruvian Denver, why not.

trip within a trip pt. 7: Arica

After all the dessert fun in San Pedro, we zig-zagged back west to Calama and then North to Arica, which is the northern-most city in Chile. (Total Bus Time = 43 hours and counting). It was a pretty large city, with a big mountain overlooking it called El Morro. It's an important port and was the site of an important battle in the 1800s when Chile took it from Bolivia, land-locking them and causing centuries of awkwardness. I got pictures from the top and bottom of the mountain, some boats, and the Jesus statue on top. Arica = Chilean Long Beach