Wow! So it was so easy to pass the days always at the beach again. I was really missing the ocean after so much time in the mountains and the cold altitudes. I arrived in Iquique and found a very homey hostel. The Chilean beach has a neat counter culture feel, sort of Southern Cali but more urban and punk style. It was nice being around all the surf and skate vibes, and seeing some amazing street murals and graffiti art. I almost felt like I was back in the states again because Chile is so much more western feeling than what I’ve been used to, plus the hostel was equipped with a load of English speaking travellers, American movies and target looking comforters. The hostel was a little far from the quiet downtown area but very close to the beach. I spent the next 4 days going between the beach, the hostel, and the giant grocery store. It was not super hot but from about 11am to 3pm the beach was hot enough to sit out on, get a tan, and make a quick dash into the ocean. The first night I cooked about enough rice and black beans to feed an army, and the rest of my nights I worked my way through it making different variations on the basic. Every night I also drank red wine and watched a movie or two. Very chill.
I also began hanging out with Marthe, my roommate in Iquique who is on the same path as I am. She is a 22 year old Psychology student from Amsterdam and also volunteered in Cusco and is travelling alone. Her flight is from Lima on May 10th so it is perfect timing. We are now back in Peru, my last South American border crossing, after having stopped over at one other Chilean beach town to split up the travel. Tonight we plan to go out in Arequipa for a few drinks and maybe some dancing. It is exciting to be in a vibrant city! Then Saturday early morning we will leave our big suitcases at the hostel and go on a 3 day trek of the Colca Canyon.
