Thursday, December 6th, 2007 Arica and the Playa

Thursday, December 6th, 2007 Arica and the Playa

Breakfast in Tacna, a huge meal
Taxi ride across the border, EF Cummings made it un detected across the strict Chilean customs
Dropped luggage off at the hostel we stayed at last time, Nick broke the bed when he jumped on it. Changed into our swimsuits, taxi driver picked us up again and drove us to El Moro, a huge, huge rock on the south side of town famous for its crucial roll during the War of the Pacific between Chile, Peru and Bolivia. (Chile conquered the rock from the Peruvians in less than one hour and by the end of the war, took all the land in northern Chile from Bolivia. Jerks.)
Driver drove us to the beach, spent the afternoon lying on the beach, swimming in the waves, I lost my sunglasses. When we got tired and a little sunburned, headed back to the hostel.
Changed clothes, went to walk around Arica. Shared a pitcher of beer, went to a market in the main square, then ate dinner, had a delicious hamburger.
After walking around a little longer, headed back to the hostel. Took a nap and at midnight the same taxi driver picked us up and drove us to the airport to catch our late night (3 am!) flight. Again made it through without once showing ID.