Updating our travels

Monday Sept 6. Mariela went to university (her class was from 7am to 11am). She is doing two degress at two different private universities. She took us to one when she paid her fees. They pay by the month. Todays temp was hot 37 degrees with at time gale force winds. Every time you went outside it was like walking into an oven. Spent the morning around the house. In the afternoon we dropped of Gloria at kindergarden and went into town. Did a little shopping, then had coffee and cheesecake (very nice indeed, plus an interesting Bolivian coffee, their version of a latte.

Tuesday Sept 8. We flew out of Santa Cruz at 11.30am. Cost us US$24 each in departure tax. Customs and immigration was an effort. Initially we got turned back because we were early for the boarding. Duty free was a joke as was the cafe. Any way LAN left on time and we arrived in Iquique around 1.15 pm. Immigration and customs was quick and easy. The weather was overcast with a cold wind blowing. After a questionable hamburger for lunch we decisied to try and get an earlier flight to Antofagusta. We were flying by Sky airlines. So we go, Lynley used her spanish and got our bags checked in all the way to Calama. But, when we checked our tickets we were not on the earlier flight but our orginal one which was at 6.50 pm. So we spent 5 cold hours sitting in the airport (hard seats, poor cafe etc.) The two flights to get to Calama were quick, both around 35 minutes flying time. We arrived in Calama around 10.15 pm. Very cold. Two flights had arrived so there was a big crowded around one small baggage conveyor. Got the bags, but couldn´t find a taxi. Finally a Chilean invited us to share his taxi to the hotel, which we were greatful for. Our hotel El Mirador was excellent.
Wenesday. Had a small breakfast at the hotel (South Americans are not big on breakfast and dinner, but have a very large lunch). We then wnet looking for a money exchange house (Casa de Cambio). Got a poor rate. Then found a bus station and booked our bus to San Pedro de Atacama for 12 noon. Walked around Calama square etc for a while. Then caught the bus. Arrived at San Pedro around 1.15pm. Checked into our Hostal. The booked a few tours. One tomorrow at 6am for the flamingos and lakes (mountain)for Thursday. In the afternoon we took a tour to their equivalent to death vallry and moon valley to see the sun set. It was cold and very windy, but well worth it.
San Pedro is a very tourist orientated town, full of travellers of all nationalities and ages. Great selection of eating places as well as tourist agencies. Had a great meal with wine, then got some well earned sleep. Time to go.