Chiu Chiu and Iquique

Chiu Chiu On a Monday Afternoon
On our way to Chiu Chiu we passed the Codelco Mine, the one in which my host dad works. We were also lucky enough to pass the vast area in which all of the polluted water from the mine goes. From what I was told and could see, the water is kept in a large area until it evaporates or soaks back into the ground. It definitely did not look like water, and as my host dad said what is left to see is just the pollutants. I realize there is no good way to dispose of harmful chemicals/substances, but this doesn't seem like the best way either.
Chiu Chiu was yet another small, desert town without much to offer, well except for the oldest church in Chile!

Next we ventured to Laguna Chiu Chiu, which legend has it doesn't have a bottom. It it fairly small as lakes go, but locals say even Jacques Cousteau couldn't find the bottom. I was also told the lake is called "El Ojo del Mar" because 1) some say the water comes from the ocean and 2) the small lake in the middle of the desert kind of looks like an eye.

Finally, we went to Valle de Lasana, an Atacameña community famous for the Pukará de Lasana, an ancient housing area that contains nearly 110 structures that form homes of 2-5 rooms with indoor patios. On our way out of el valle we were able to see some petroglyphs from ancient atacaman cultures.




Iquique
I don't think los chilenos on the bus to Iquique ever saw a group of gringos so excited!! Even though we got there at night and could barely see the beach, we were all thrilled to see a city alive at night. There were trees!!!! And high-rises and some appetizing restaurants and bars--what a concept! The next day we were able to explore the city and unfortunately my impression of it diminished. Don't get me wrong, it is still a pretty place with a nice beach area--probably more exciting to be there in the summer (instead of the winter). But I've come to the conclusion that everywhere in Chile has a certain grimy feel to it. It's difficult to explain, but its there and the other volunteers have noticed it as well. It was also interesting to see all of the tsunami signs--there were signs that said "Zona de riesgo" (which is where our hostel was) and "Zona de seguridad." Basically, if we had felt an earthquake while we were there, we would have had to run away from the ocean. Luckily that wasn't necessary :)

Then it was time for the Daddy Yankee concert!!!! It was disappointingly short (1hr 15min) and there weren't as many people there as I thought. It was in the big soccer arena which was only half-way full of people. Perhaps they have a strict limit to attendance--there was definitely room for more. I rocked out to the songs I knew, even dancing more than chilenos...they were way too subdued for my taste ;-) Finally, on Sunday we went to a restaurant called Brasileña run by a Brazilian woman who makes delicious Chilean food. I could eat her cazuela (stew) everyday!