San Pedro do Altacamo

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Arrived here yesterday and after the wilderness of the Andes it was a pleasant surprise . It really is a backpackers haven and I feel right at home . The adventure in the wilderness was great . We travelled in a Nissan Patrol , 5 passengers and a driver through slat flats , lava beds , lagoons , water sheds of various sorts . There was no snow in sight but given the altitude the air was cool while the sun was extremely hot . At the highest point we were at 5000M ...and I coped well . Not a lot of anything that high except wild vicuna and Flamingos !!. Three different kinds of flamingos nest near the lagoons and eat minerals as well as the algae that is present . At Lagoona Colorado we were surprised to see RED water . They are not to sure what causes it but it is related to to the sun´s effect on the algae and the plancton. Between 11 and 3 pm it gets redder and redder but then the colour seems to fade and disappear. Interesting . We also saw a lot of volcanos , most inactive but one is constantly letting off steam although it has not spewed lava

in years. The salt flats themselves are immense . 163 km long and wider than the eye can see . Nature did not cooperate with us and rain so we didn´t see the mirror like surface in it,s glory but it was impressive.

We are here for 2 nights . Last night I went on a star tour at midnight and was impressed . With a lazer Les ( who happens to be from Hamilton) pointed out a multitude of constellations . There were also 8 different telescopes , some we had to climb stairs to reach the eye glass , set to see a variety of stars+ . I hadn´t realized the Seven Sisters , Saturn serves as the logo for the car company. Today we are off to see the Moon Valley in the desert and tomorrow we fly to Santiago where the tour ends . It has been good and amazing how quickly the time has passed .

I think of my dad who would be 110 today . I think he would have been intrigued by all I have seen and enjoyed the music that one hears in Latin America.

Hope all is well .Let me know how you are faring now that winter has arrived.

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Comments

[Stephanie]

life
We are well. I can't believe John is already done his classes for the 1st semester of engineering! It seems like we just dropped him off in S'toon. On the other hand, it seems you've been away a long time! Sounds like a WONDERFUL ADVENTURE! The caps lock happened accidentally, but it fits =) Glad to hear that you are doing well. You've missed the first big cold snap of the year. Take care.

[Joanna Kirsch]

Butt Cold Here
So glad you are "coping" LOL. Your adventure sounds all that you expected and more. Can't wait to hear the stories first hand. We are coping here, too. Larry's mom is in RGH, three weeks now. Not doing well at all. Won't eat, so on IV, maybe they will release her back to Stoughton this weekend. Larry's been up twice daily for two hours at a time, hoping she will eat, knowing that she won't. She probably weighs 75 lbs. now. I'm holding down the fort, so to speak, and trying to find ways to have some fun. We did go to RLT on Sat. eve, as Darlene and her son were in the play. It was great, as good as Globe. So, am inspired to go again. Tis the season of no bugs here. If anything survives this weather, it will be a miracle.Reminds me of winter. After last winter, I'd almost forgotten what it can be like. I expect we will see each other at Christmas? Cheers and beers, JoJo

[Joanna Kirsch]

Regina
p.s. just watching the city workers trying to thaw out the skating rink on our corner. We reported the main break two weeks ago, and they wait until it is -30 to do something about it. Stupid city.

[ROGER LABELLE]

ALL IS WELL HERE NOTHING NEW TO REPORT. THE LADIES HAVE BEGUN CHRISTMAS DINNER PLANNING. I'VE ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED TURKEY COOKER AND CARVER.
I'M SURE DAD WOULD JUST SHAKE HIS HEAD IN WONDER AT YOUR ADVENTURES. I KNOW HE LIKED TO TRAVEL BUT NOTHING LIKE THE TRAVELLING YOU HAVE DONE. ENJOY, BE SAFE, LOVE - ROGER

[Mo]

Adventure indeed
Would have liked the star tour. Often think I should drive out of the city to re connect with the universe beyond. Loved our evening/ night at the Sydney Observatory. We are so lucky to be able to travel. Enjoy what remains. We look forward to hearing all about it on the 14 th at Muriel's