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I arrived in Iquique about 5/6am and decided that a bench in the bus station with security was prob a better bet than roaming the streets looking for the hostel... I managed to get a small amount of sleep until a Swedish couple kicked off at the customer service desk about a surf board that they had paid a few quid more to travel than they expected... I know it's principle and agreements where made but seriously, it's a huge fcuking surf board you got it here now just pay the rest... I stayed there till sun rise and jumped in a taxi to the hostel about 8am...
Red had booked a private room and this was a luxury I wasn't used too after three months in dorms... :-) I used the time I had on my own wisely, I cut my toe nails and laid on the bed like a star fish naked and did nothing... It was a great couple hours... To my relief I noticed when I went down stairs (that i was dressed) and that the swedish couple and there surf board had made it here to the hostel nice and safe, I was so happy to find they where staying here too... She was moaning at the receptionist here as well, about something else prob that the surf board had a single bed not a double or something...
A few hours later I was skimming along a coast road looking out at restaurants, sand and huge waves as i headed to the airport... Iquique is surrounded by huge hills and surfable waves... The airport is tiny though, as it was a group taxi I arrived an hour or so early but I bought a Spanish phrase book and sat and practiced... Red arrived safe and sound with a very heavy bag that was full of gifts from home and a big smile... Her holiday could finally start...
I must admit I was very excited, it had been a real long time that we had been in company, and the miles travelled where thousands but at long last I had my IPOD BACK..!! ;-) hahaha sorry red... I had to sent it home to be sorted when in pucon and it had been a long month without it.... Red was the saviour and at last I could communicate with the world and enjoy oasis, libertines, stone roses, Beatles, jam, rolling stones, the list like me went on and on...
Red brought with her gifts of chocolate, crisps, pictures, letters from friends, tshirts,
(apparently I had been wearing the same "poxy" one) and great company... We spent alot of time on the beach as the hostel was opposite and even went and visited the desert in San pedro for couple days... We went to glaziers, and an observatory to view all the planets, stars and solar system... Once back in Iquique we had the pleasure of a hotel to return to...
This was great I'm one the lucky few people in the world to have a holiday while backpacking, thanks red... We cooked (or tried too) a few times, but eat out at some good restaurants... Red sure does like pepper in her diner and loves a sausage, she liked the different types in south America, apparently there not quite the same as back home... ;-)
We also found we had a shared interest in the casino, both our first times in one we Learnt pretty quick, I already had good knowledge of the roulette wheel after spending many a weekend in willy hill watching brett, Karim and Justin play... One the rules these guys never mentioned was the glass to glass holder rule as I'm sure i would have explained this to red... The cocktails where flowing and red was in full holiday mode, brown legs out, dress on and a swagger, she was enjoying the casino as much as I... She plants her nice white Pina colada right in the middle of a........... full ashtray... Now not that Im an expert on colours or designs but let me tell you white lumpy drinks don't mix with green roulette tables... Red wants the ground to open, I just laugh and point, the stuff rush around trying to clean the table... I imagine she could have died but it sobered her up in a second... We then rolled two winning numbers and left the table for a greener cocktail and another beer... We won a few times but left down in money, like many a gambler before us we had enjoyed it a bit to much...
The next few days where chilled with good food, shopping, another trip to the casino this time dry and successful in winnings... I bought a real good camera to get better pictures of my travels instead of spanish lessons... I had a phrase book, I could shout and point so why would I need to spend loads on a Spanish course (famous last words)
Iquique was also the famous spot of my first haircut... Now I didn't expect much but in all seriousness, when I sat down and was given a book containing haircuts of Tom cruise, bros, and other 80's classics I did have a small shudder to myself... The barber was as old as a red phone box and cut my hair quicker than strawberry can put out his open sign... The result after I refused several times to have my sideburns shortened was a very camp squaddie cut, he kept telling me gel would improve the look and that I should really quiff the front and shorten my "patilla's" (side whiskers) as they where far to long... I paid him the whole £1.50 he was asking for, had my picture taken for his wall of international fame and ran straight back to the hotel for a hat...
Red had been here two weeks and I hope she had enjoyed it... I said goodbye to my sausage smuggling friend as She had the delights of England, Sheppey, friends, a hot bath, (work :-p) to look forward to and I had the hard task of packing up and heading to Bolivia la Paz, the land of shiny shoes, bowler hats, welsh poo and lama steaks but first I had to cross the border on a bus that was for locals only and cost me £6.50 for a 450 mile trip...
It was tough but all that in the next instalment: la Paz where you can buy anything..!!
Peace out much love mick xxx
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