Arica

Still in the Desert. You can look out from Iquique to the ocean and it´s warm and sunny, turn around, look over the city, and you will see what basically amounts to a giant sand dune towering over the city, a constant reminder you are still in the Atacama region. Arica is very similar, very dry, surrounded by sand and rock. I stayed a few days, mostly because I wanted to do my laundry, it´s so nice to have clean clothes! The town isn´t too bad checked out the square and the building made by Eiffel (as in tower) and climbed the hill to get a view of the city and visit the war museum. Also headed out of town to the Archaeological museum to look at the mummies and some amazing weaving etc from 2000bc. Stayed total 2 nights in Arica at 2 hostels both across the road from the bus station. Hostel International $4000 single room but crazy small bathroom (they had a childs size toilet so it would fit) and no toilet paper. So moved to Rocca Luna (6 doors down) $3500/night single room much nicer bathroom. These aren´t ¨real¨ hostels though, same in Iquique, you won´t find many gringos or information, no free maps or suggested places to go, no guest kitchen and often not even a common room or lounge. So I haven´t cooked for myself in a while.
From Arica got a colectivo across the border to Tacna, Peru. But these weren´t no tiny town taxis, I sat in the middle of the front bench seat of a Crown Victoria! Guess they have bigger boot space for 5 people´s luggage! In Tacna had a few hours to kill before my bus to Arequipa so checked out the town centre market etc before another bus ride!