San Pedro de Atacama 1/2

15.12.

I leave Santiago after breakfast around 10 o'clock. Apuh, the evening before with plenty of Pisco Sour is still in my body.

But it doesn't matter. I have to and want to continue. So off to the metro and then by bus to the airport. There I want to check my luggage and only fly with carry-on to Calama in the Atacama Desert. It is extremely difficult to move through the airport. Especially in the exit area for arriving flights, people are packed like sardines and screaming, waving signs and hands wildly.

I finally reach the luggage storage area and check in my large travel bag. Now just go through security and wait for the flight for 2.5 hours. I'm hungry and find a McDobalds. Wow, what an offer! Great! I order fries with guacamole. Tastes good :-)

And then there are no seat dividers! Thank you Santiago Airport, it makes waiting lying down very comfortable!

Then finally at 13:45 boarding. My seat is in the second-to-last row, middle. Shit. That's not good for me and my fear of flying. And now there are also 2 German women coming: I immediately recognize them by their almost perfect trekking outfit. They want to sit next to each other. Ok. I bravely change to the window seat.

The plane takes off, turbulence, I almost die of fear. This flight is particularly bad. When I finally get up, I do it right away and walk around a bit. Then I ask the flight attendant to find me another seat further up front. It works. The landing is also nerve-wracking and I'm just relieved to finally get off this bird

Then transfer to San Pedro de Atacama with a minibus. This bus will also pick me up on Tuesday morning and take me to the airport.

The landscape on the 1.5-hour journey is incredible. Barren, like the moon. At least that's how I imagine it. At the same time, it's also fascinating. More on that later...

I quickly check into the hostel, have everything explained to me and start walking to see the sunset somewhere outside the village. It is now 7 pm. I am driven out of the village to a small hill. Oh how beautiful. On one side the sunset, on the other side the volcano range, which slowly turns reddish, purplish. I am all alone in this place. Absolutely insider tip :-D Gorgeous! None of the pictures can reflect this light and the special atmosphere...

I buy an empanada and go back to the hostel. I'm totally tired and looking forward to tomorrow! The hostel is great. Comfortable beds, nice atmosphere and not just eighteen-year-olds who like to party.

16.12.

I wake up very early because my bed is by the window facing the street. Buses stop every minute to pick up people for tours. When that's finally over, stray dogs start fighting and barking like crazy in front of the window. When that scene is finally over too, I'm awake and have a coffee on the hostel terrace. Wonderful! With a direct view of the Licanbur volcano! "Uno de los cerros sagrados de los Incas" The volcano of the people is also called. The day is going to be great.

But first, 1.5 hours of sleep and then off to the village. One arts and crafts shop of the indigenous population next to the other. An El Dorado for every hippie. I buy some souvenirs and scarves and have lunch near the bus station. There are about 5-10 small local places next to each other where "mom is still behind the stove". A hidden gem and super cheap too. I order the menu del Dia with soup, meat, rice, and salad. Oh how good! And with a tip for 5 euros.

I go to the city to the agency's office. There, two hippie employees look at me with surprise because I'm wearing flip flops. I mean, why not? It's warm outside... They say I might have difficulties with hiking and walking in the caves with flip flops. What? Hiking? Caves? No one told me that. I thought I would sit on the bus and be taken to viewpoints where I can take photos :-D

Well, I go to the meeting point and I WILL DEFINITELY participate. Other tourists are already waiting there. All with hiking shoes, most of them also with trekking clothes, and the Germans additionally with headlamps, caps, and whatnot. As if they were going on an extreme expedition. And there I am, in the middle with my flip flops. Everyone gets on the bus to Flavio. Miguel is our guide. A crazy guy, but likeable. He tells us that the group ALWAYS stays together!! I laugh to myself, because now my flip flop problem is a collective matter in case of doubt. Hahahaha

The first stop in the Valle de la Luna are cave-like passages through the million-year-old volcanic rock.

Miguel says it will also get dark and we should use our phone flashlights. Ok. No problem. So I walk right behind Miguel and what can I say, everything is easy with flip flops!! Firm shoes would have been better, but it's still doable this way.

My personal highlight: We walk through this pitch-dark cave, using our phone lights and crawling through it. About 10 minutes. When we finally arrive at the end, I turn around and see two Germans wearing HEADLAMPS! I start laughing! No one will believe me, I think. Those idiots with their complete equipment from Globetrotter. And here I am with flip flops and an iPhone 5. Yeah :-D

Everyone gets back on the bus and continues to the next hike. No caves here, but lots of sand and rocks and steep uphill slopes. I somehow manage it. The view is gigantic and the nature is fascinating. It's a stone desert, after all. I get along great with a Dutch woman and we chuckle together about the rest of the group and even take photos for each other.

Now quickly back to San Pedro and to bed. The excursion starts at 7:30 tomorrow morning and I'm really looking forward to it.