Arica,Chile

Arica, Chile is a regional hub for Chile and a substantial port for container ships and apparently cruise lines. (A big cruise ship (Celebrity something) is in port today, which I think is Thursday, Dec 17th.  We are doing three nights in Arica to get caught up, relax from traveling a little and get organized.

Arica is ready for Christmas with lots of people setting up tables to wrap your Christmas presents right on the street (sidewalk actually), promotions for Star Wars movie yet to come, Disney characters and even a few camera toting drones for sale.

After one night in a hotel we moved to a hostel run by a Belgium/Chilean couple with a nice patio overlooking the city.  But Chile is a developed country and prices are near that in the US.  Here we are paying  $46 a night compared to our average of about $15 a night in Peru.  It is nicer but not three times nicer!



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