In the end I find this trip fascinating. To go to these mines and see the enormous machinery is a privilege. Lunch is an occasion. Somewhere between two mines they pitched a huge marque tent and we have Spanish dancers and singers (even guitars and a harp are amongst the instruments used by the band) to entertain us while eating the most tasty food. (The meat is cooked outside in the traditional way by spreading it over and frame and cooking it over an open fire). I do not really understand all the jargon, but to be watching all that is going on is fascinating!
 
 
 

We drive back to the airport in small busses and then suddenly disaster strikes! We had left our luggage in the foyer of the hotel (as per written instruction of the organisers), but the luggage is now missing. Carlos takes us back to the hotel to see if we can find our stuff. Worst of all, our luggage is not marked (always mark luggage when you go on a trip – it makes things so much easier!). Oscar, the tour organiser, helps us in Spanish and somehow we found out that our luggage is, in fact, on its way to the airport! Great stuff!

With our luggage joining us at the airport we depart for Calama, a village in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert on earth. We are very glad to be there after a very short flight, but our enthusiasm is short lived when Oscar explains that we have only reached Antofagasta, a harbour city in the desert and we have to fly another 250 km to Calama. It is after 11 pm when we check in at the Park Hotel. This is an upper class hotel. Big pots with huge cactus serves as decoration on the verandas – each room has its own desert garden to walk out to.

Calama is situated at 2265m above sea level and deep in the Atacama Desert – there are no trees and plants in this area.