The Valley Where it Never Rains

Right now I am in the Valle del Elqui where it "never rains," but this morning i woke up to the sound of thunder and heavy rain drops pounding down on the open air courtyard in the hostel in La Serena. The server at breakfast told me it only rains two or three times a year here and I just happened to come on one of those lucky days.

However, I did not let the rain deter me from exploring. I walked down the streets where gondolas might have been more efficient than cars (thank goodness for these new waterproof hiking boots) and found the Museo Arquiologico in La Serena. The entrance fee was waved due to the rain. Apparently there was some stuff outside, but that didnt bother me to much. My favorite exhibits included shrunken heads from the Sibaro Indians in Ecuador, a mummy from the Chiu-chiu tribe in Atacama, Chile, and one of the giant statues transported from Easter Island.

After the museum I hopped on the bus to Coquimbo to find a museum of pre-hispanic tombs, well I walked around the streets like rivers for about an hour looking for it, had some lunch and when I got there found it was temporarily closed, so i went for some tea at a restaurant across the street. There i ran in to an American couple from New York teaching English in Chile for a year, very nice people. I returned to the museum but for some reason couldnt see the whole thing, but i was able to see two excavated graves from the tombs. Overall, that trip was pretty dissapointing because also i couldnt see the other tourist attraction, a giant cross atop the tallest hill with a panoramic view because the stairs looked like a fountain that would sweep me away.

About three o'clock i hopped on a bus to Vicuņa and arrived at 5. This Valle de Elqui is so lovely, tucked in the Cordillera, covered with vineyards and snaked by a river. Here the majority of Chile's Pisco (a popular liquor) and wine is produced. I checked out the Museo Entomologico with all types of bugs, the artisan fair, and bought my dinner at the supermercado. Finally I made it to my hostal at about seven PM and I am sooo ready for bed. I just met a group of Australians, but they are leaving tomorrow for San Pedro de Atacama.

The hostess at this hostel is so nice, she did everything possible to make me comfortable, brought me a hot water bottle, tea and a small heater and also let me use this computer in the office. But now I need to get some shut eye because i want to have breakfast at 8:20 so I can get through my bulging itenerary for tomorrow. Check back in a couple days for pictures.

Buenos Noches,

Tara