I´ve wandered through the desert on a bus with no name
Jan 3, 2007
Well, we’ve completed our journey to Antafugasta and we are all ok. The 18 hour bus ride brought new meaning to the term “nada.” I have never seen an area so devoid of any form of life, plant or animal. Almost the entire route up we hardly saw an wild plant or animal. There were some places where a slight scrub brush might be peaking Its green leaves through the surface of the rock strewn landscape, but those were few and far between. In parts of the desert there was emptiness as far as the eye could see. Even the parts that I didn’t see, I am pretty sure they were full of emptiness too.
The bus was amazing Big seats that reclined and foot parts that folded down, resulted in an area as comfortable as possibly could be designed for epic drives. It was as close to being in first class than I will ever be.
On arrival Charlyn greeted us and one of the host mothers showed up. We all piled into the host family’s van and headed out, with Charlyn giving us a tour as we went.
After a little bit of confusion in finding the area, Jake and I met our host mother, a kind older woman names Rosita. As we arrived, we found that she had invited over her 3 children and their families. The rest of the evening was spend trying to convey our ideas across, in broken Spanish, to her 2 daughters, 1 son, their spouses, one toddler and a baby. A great time was had by all. Jake and I gave her our welcoming presents, chocolate and some postcards of Washington.
Tomorrow we have a tour of the city with Charlyn and one of here students who will serve as a guide for us. At 3:00 we have a meeting and then off to the beach. At 6:00 we are to meet back here and have dinner with one of Rosita’s daughters.
This was a great way to start off our days here in Antofugasta and I’m looking forward to writing and experiencing more. As it is right now, I just need to get warm.
Well, we’ve completed our journey to Antafugasta and we are all ok. The 18 hour bus ride brought new meaning to the term “nada.” I have never seen an area so devoid of any form of life, plant or animal. Almost the entire route up we hardly saw an wild plant or animal. There were some places where a slight scrub brush might be peaking Its green leaves through the surface of the rock strewn landscape, but those were few and far between. In parts of the desert there was emptiness as far as the eye could see. Even the parts that I didn’t see, I am pretty sure they were full of emptiness too.
The bus was amazing Big seats that reclined and foot parts that folded down, resulted in an area as comfortable as possibly could be designed for epic drives. It was as close to being in first class than I will ever be.
On arrival Charlyn greeted us and one of the host mothers showed up. We all piled into the host family’s van and headed out, with Charlyn giving us a tour as we went.
After a little bit of confusion in finding the area, Jake and I met our host mother, a kind older woman names Rosita. As we arrived, we found that she had invited over her 3 children and their families. The rest of the evening was spend trying to convey our ideas across, in broken Spanish, to her 2 daughters, 1 son, their spouses, one toddler and a baby. A great time was had by all. Jake and I gave her our welcoming presents, chocolate and some postcards of Washington.
Tomorrow we have a tour of the city with Charlyn and one of here students who will serve as a guide for us. At 3:00 we have a meeting and then off to the beach. At 6:00 we are to meet back here and have dinner with one of Rosita’s daughters.
This was a great way to start off our days here in Antofugasta and I’m looking forward to writing and experiencing more. As it is right now, I just need to get warm.
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