It'll be a cold/hot/dry day in the Atacama ...

There is nothing like a 24 hour bus ride on a double decker bus to find one of the most beautiful places on the earth.  I like to think that things have to be extremely miserable so that I can fully appreciate how wonderful things are.  Take for instance my bus ride from Viña del Mar to Calama/San Pedro de Atacama.  I wake up at 7:50 to catch my 8:30 bus across town.  I sprint out of my apartment shouting 'choas' to my family with my backpacks.  Public transportation generally is not in favor for those with things in tote. (Like myself) So no colectivos (shared taxis) would stop for me due to the fact that it would take too much time.  And it's really easy to get pick pocketed on buses so I avoided that as well.  Looked down at my clock and saw that it was 8:05.  I had 25 minutes to get to the bus station which is about a 40 minute walk from my apartment.  So I take off running ... in my sandals, two bookbags, and yogurt in hand.  I arrived on time, but with yogurt explosion on my hand and with an immense amount of sweat.  I on the bus ... with some friends.  Top floor cause its way cheaper and we're in the front row.  Which should be amazing, except for the fact that these huge bay windows turn into an easy bake oven when the shining sun is applied.  Air Conditioner wasn't working so well.  So my already sweaty body increased into a dry seat with a puddle of Seth sitting.  The guy behind me snored so incredibly loud during the day.  He got off at another stop at night fall.  I though the misery was over, but a crazy gypsy family got on directly afterwards.  I've been told before that using the word gypsy to describe people can be rather offensive but this is completely accurate.  Gypsies here are crazy.  They will come up to you begging for money so that they can read your future and if you give them money they try to take all of your possessions.  But if you don't do anything they put a hex/curse on you.  Lose lose situation.  After the curses ended, they were sleeping behind me ... snoring in all.  When I reach down to my bag to get my iPod, but instead of my iPod I grab a tiny fury animal.  A puppy.  It would have been cute and adorable if I hadn't found puddles of pee/poo all around my row of seats.  Damn gypsy dog.  

We made it ... Trip back was equally as bad.

San Pedro de Atacama is so beautiful.  Completely changed my perception of the word desert.  A town smaller than 2000 people, only known for tourism.  Electricity cuts off at 10 for the entire town ... obviously scarce water.  It hadn't rained in 5 years.  

Pictures link again ... CLICK HERE!

Today is Chile's Independence Day.  Surprisingly similar to the Fourth of July traditions.  Minus fireworks.  Lots of food, lots of fellowship with family and friends.  Throw in some sweet Chilean traditions and you got yourself Fiestas Patrias.   

I've had quite a bit on my mind as of late.  Nothing like rambling blog entries to avoid life's mysteries.

... before I enjoy life here in Chile,

Seth of Viña