"Moments like these render my entire trip to Chile 'Worth It.' "

Blue skies

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Valle Elqui is known throughout Chile for its deep, juicy blue skies. We saw them up close this afternoon from horseback.

Buen Encuentro

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A horse named "Buen Encuentro" took me for six hours throughout the rockiest and steepest parts of the Andes peaks of Pisco Elqui.

Faithful and faulty

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My horse waits for me faithfully and asks why i tease him inwardly for his faulty and lacking orthopedic structure

souvenir

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cabezon

La Serena

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"La Serena" is a beautiful beach town about 5 hours north of Santiago. A little cold during this time of year, but there was lots to be thankful for because we had the place to ourselves!

Busrides are fun again

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I haven't had so much fun on a bus since second grade.

Flock of moosen

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No, mountain goats.

Here's to your health

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A typical Chilean salad. Separated, starchy, and heavy on the vitamin M: MAYONAISE!

Homeless man

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sometimes fashion is not my number one priority when traveling. Sometimes it is. Moments like these, with socks on my hands, are my finest.

La Serena bus terminal

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dressed as the penguins we were chasing, I find myself once again at the La Serena bus terminal. This map gives the distances to many, many destinations around Chile. Some won our presence because of the name. They sounded pretty.

Lado V

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Arriving at night, Pisco Elqui seemed to be a small, picturesque town (of fewer than 500 inhabitants!) in some majestic towering mountains and blindingly bright stars. About 10 pm we set out to find food, stumbling only upon the small "Lado V" restaurant. It turned out to be one of those unforgettable food establishments with heaps of gourmet food, fabulous lighting, a rocky floor, stone booths chiseled into the walls, swanky music, and a blazing fire.

Spooners

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Who knew mountain pups loved to snuggle so?

Bus scenery

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One of the best parts of this trip was the scenery that you get, animated, from a moving box known as a "Tur Bus"

Colorful world

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Our cabins. For $12 a night, you couldn't beat this place. Great spot for meeting new english-speaking friends also on crazy adventures throughout south america.

Breakfast

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The little outdoor restaurant where Hostel Gabriela Mistral served us breakfast included every morning. I could scarcely eat because it was so breathtaking. No, that's a lie. I could gobble down my pan y nescafe pretty darn quickly to the Andean soundtrack they played.

Travelers

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gettin' pumped to conquer the world (of valle elqui!)

Rancho Rodriguez

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Looking for horseback rides

Yikes

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real mountain horses. I feel like woman from snowy river.