Dusty shoes and a dirty nose!

From him

I think we are both feeling a little sucked in. We are in a place that survives solely on tourism and there is a bit of predator prey equation going on here. As for the locals, good on them really, gringos have been plundering their countries resources for hundreds of years and some retribution through remuneration is long overdue. Still you can’t help but feel a little surrounded by vultures.

We are 2440m above sea level staying in a tiny town called San Pedro de Atacama surrounded by one of the driest deserts on the planet. Try to imagine an expansive earth were you are surrounded by a landscape that is burnt and parched along the same lines as inland Australia. But it also contains otherworldly geographical formations you can imagine and some you can’t.

If there is a god and he (or she) can extend can extend his holy hand down to earth he is holding a hair dryer on full over this place. The only word to describe the Atacama Desert is harsh. Beauty is present and I am sure the surreal picture it boasts to everyone who passes through is captivating but to live here is an entirely different story.

Back to the vultures, I don’t want to sound bitter and I suppose and when a spot is this isolated its fair game. But when you have to walk around with your bum muscles clenched so the next restaurateur or hostel owner doesn’t bend you over a cactus and get his or her share of pesos (they don’t care about mortgages). This can make for a slightly irritating stay.

This of course is an but when you are travelling your sphincter does inexplicably contract and you tend to guard each dollar with a fervour you could only wish for when at home. However Smudge has taken care of our disgruntled situation here. San Pedro has a shortage of water and the flush on the toilet is rather lack lustre, I also think she has been eating cork. Toodle poo Hostel La Ruca.

Adios Amigos