Surprise Coquimbo

On Saturday, we left the idyllic Valley and took a bus to La Serena. Jule had already warned us: La Serena is not a highlight. When we were still looking for volunteering opportunities during our trip, we had contact with a German couple who built a hostel here. I'm internally thanking my lucky stars that they only wanted someone for the whole season. Even after two nights here, I still don't quite understand why people settle down in La Serena. And why volunteers work here for months. The hostel is nicely done, but overall the operation is a bit careless, the turnover is high... But since we decided to travel luxuriously by plane to the north and there was a cheap connection only available on Tuesday, we will probably stay here for now. Phew! 30 minutes to the windy city beach, the city center full of Christmas spirit, not very exciting, dirty... But yesterday we set off to the neighboring city and it was a pleasant surprise. There was a big market on Sunday, everyone was very helpful and friendly. Since 2000, the city has been very proud of the large cross that it placed on the hill together with the church. As a symbol for the 3rd millennium. For a while, it was apparently the highest Christian building in South America. The city of Coquimbo was affected by a tsunami in 2015, but it has already been surprisingly well renovated. The escape route signs can be seen all along the coast here. But since Coquimbo is steep, you don't have to walk that far to be safe! 😉 I think Helmut's highlight was buying fruit at the market! And then we went to the beach. Also nice, calmer sea and tolerable water temperatures for swimming and for my first sunburn!