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A town close to my heart 💙
@aurzeq and I traveled to Chile to spend some time with my family. After landing in Santiago, Chile’s capital and biggest city, we took another 2:30 hour flight to the most northern city and airport in the country: Arica. This city is only 25 minutes away from the border with Peru, and just 3 hours away from the border with Bolivia.
It has around 200 thousand inhabitants. Rusty, a little dirty, abundant poverty and full of unfinished houses, Arica is a city with enormous potential. Located on the seaside and close to 2 borders, it could have much more notoriety and tourism than it actually possesses. Many many years in a row we would pack our bags and go there for a month or two every January of February. To me it is the city of family, cozy places and love. It is called the city of eternal spring due to its lovely weather throughout the year. Summer is not too hot and winter not too cold. The ocean and the breeze ease the extremes away to leave a nice humid feeling of comfort whenever you visit.
My parents lived here in their youth and met in their late 20s (and early 30s). They got married in the cathedral designed by non other than Eiffel. Yes. Yes. I am not making this up! Google it! Sadly I did not take any photos of the cathedral this trip, but you can access a page to chile's monument's here, and have a look at its white, red and green façade.
Historically, the city is home to some important battles of Chilean history. The Morro Arica is a very characteristic sand and stone hill with a very steep drop, very characteristic of the city's landscape. Located in a geographically strategic place, chilean troops defeated Peru’s very strong army at the time and took over the city. On top now sit a very big chilean flag and a museum of the Pacific War, as well as some statues and monuments.
Back in those days, Peru was rich and powerful. Chile lowly and poor. Only strong willed men is what the old songs and stories tell.
But the stories of war are never nice, or one sided. Never something I take pride off. I wish for there to be no need for war. Peace and prosperity ought to come at lower costs for humanity. And I hope for it still, for all of our sakes.
My grandpa is an architect, and he was the mind behind the one you see here on the pic.
From this place, El Morro, you have a view of the whole city to the north. The harbor, now very important for Bolivian trade and for local fishermen.
Anzota Caves
I used to visit this place when there had been less work done on behalf of tourism. We would bring sandwiches and coffee mugs to watch the sunset and share our day’s favorite highlights. Now there is more infrastructure and control. You register at the entrance and you will each receive a protective helmet to avoid the risk of being hit on the head by stones that might come off the mountain walls (an unlikely event, but you never know).
The caves are located in the coastal area, so they create a beautiful contrast of rock, sand and sea. You hear along the walk the clash of waves. The are his reach with Guano. A very important fertilizer and resource of back in the good old days. With the development of technology and alternative chemical products, now it is just white and horribly smelly. But what is guano you may be asking yourself? Well good sir and lady, quite simply, it is the feces of birds in the area... This element has been very important historically for Chile, as it is a strong fertilizer and in the last century it was harvested for trade (as it was only available in Chile)... Then over time, it was replaced by alternative materials, given also the difficulty of extracting it (you had to climb these very slippery and dangerous walls). Ropes are visible along the walk path.
White guano visible on the rocks.
The caves are very impressive and can be reached at various points along the route by well-signposted and easy-to-reach stairways. Be sure to go visit them if you are ever around there! It is a must!
City Tips
Because this city is so dear to me and I have come here so often, I do not have photos of the best attractions and things to do or eat here. BUT I do have some juicy tips I did not want you guys to miss. So here they go:
The oldest mummies in the world (fact checked just now really quick) are right here in Arica. They are the Chinchorro culture, and though not as flashy as the Egyptians, are over 7000 years old. You can visit them (2 museums are available for you to go check out) and wonder at how they achieved it. For as little as 2000 chilean pesos (which is about 3 euros/dollars) you can visit one of the museums. I am attaching a link here.
Ice cream as good as heaven itself. I promise. It is not all my latina passion exaggerating. Or maybe a little yes. But trust me it is worth a try. A healthy dose of long competition has sparked between local ice cream shops and risen the bar of ice cream quality to absolute perfection. Check out La Fontana, my favorite. Try the mango, tumbo or maracuyá ice cream for a taste of local fruits.
Bring your swimsuit with you and maybe some will for adventure because the waves are nice and surfers come knock the waves dead. They are not all crazy big, but rather very nice for beginners. It is the perfect place to give it a try. Some small business have schools and you can learn in as little as 1 day the basics. You can do so by enjoying the sunset on the beach. Play beach volleyball or football or any sports for that matter.
@aurzeq and I couldn't waiting for the sunset after playing "paletas".
Final tip, once a year Arica hosts a Carnival called "Con la Fuerza del Sol". Very unique for Chile, as these traditions are more popular in the Andes cultures, more characteristic of Bolivia and Peru, February closes with a celebrations to Chilean diversity and ethnicity. If you can pick a date to come, chose February and see the streets become alive with colors, music and dance.
Click here to see the YouTube video.
To move around town you have public transport in the form of taxis and buses. We had a car, which allowed us to go out of the city as well to Lake Chungará and further. We will do another special post on that as it was just absolutely AMAZING. Just as a heads up, it is the highest Lake in the world and home to fauna and volcanoes to die for.
Greetings from us @aurzeq and myself. Handsome and classy as ever.🤪