Arica, Chile
Oct. 16th - Drive to Arica
We’re all happy to be leaving Putre. The
trip down from the Andes was much easier than the climb. Most
of the trip was coasting and braking. We decided to count
oncoming vehicles (20 in all over 90 minutes). We stopped and
viewed the many geoglyphs made in the sand mountain sides by
Pre-Columbian peoples. The figures are spread along the upper
edges of the south side of the valley. They are up to 150 ft
tall and represent people and animals. We used the binoculars
to get a great view of them.
It was nice to be back in a city and in
Chile. The Azapa Inn is a huge complex with a big pool. The
water is the warmest we’ve felt in South America. It’s nice to
sit, swim and read. There’s a different atmosphere in Chile.
It’s quieter. There’s no constant honking of car horns.
Traffic actually stops for pedestrian cross walks. Cars don’t
run red lights and yields the right of way. Arica doesn’t
really look any richer but I’m sure it is.
 In the central city there is a church and
customs house that were designed by Gustav Eiffel. Many parts
were made in France, shipped and assembled here. This part of
Chile used to belong to Bolivia. In the 1880’s, it was
captured by Chile in the War of the Pacific. Bolivia lost it’s
seacoast but the influence is still here in the people. We are
staying until the 20th so we will spend the next few days
exploring the city and surrounds.
Azapa valley, Thongs at the
pool...»
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