Mi viaje al Norte

Hello all!
Well, I am writing back safely in Viña after the greatest trip of my life! It started when Bailey Valian came to visit Chile last Friday (the 11). We hung out (and went out) in Viña and Valparaíso for the first day she was here,then Amelie Kastning, Jeannie Winkler, Bailey and I cought a bus to Chañaral Chile (11 hours away!) where we arrived the next day on our way to our final destination of San Pedro de Atacama. We stayed in Chañaral, and passed the time going to the Ocean and hanging out around the town. We had an 11 PM bus the next day, so during the day we went to the Pan de Azucar Parque Nacional and had the most lovely time! We drove up to this lookout point that was breathtakingly beautiful. Desert on one side, Ocean on the other. We then came down for the most delicious fish lunch we have ever had! Again, eating on the most beautiful beach... We then went back to our hostal to find out that we couldn´t stay there longer because he had to rent out the room, so we literally just ´hung out´for abuot 6 hours while waiting for our bus. Fortunately for us, we are all fun and creative, and managed to make our oun deck of playing cards (good thing I brought my notebook and colored pencils!), and played cards and drank cheap boxed wine until our bus came.
Then, for the next 11 hours, we drove to San Pedro de Atacama. When we arrived the next day, we were greeted at the bus station by a lovely lady who offered us a Hostal to stay at. Since we had nowhere else to go, we said yes- and good thing! It was so nice! There was a central spot to hang out with tables, chairs and hammocs, and at night they lit a fire for everyone to enjoy. There was also a kitchen and we were able to make our meals, and converse with people from Chile, France, New Zealand, Israel and Austrailia. While in San Pedro, we went to these natural Geysers and Hot Springs, and were fortunate enough to swim while the first snow fell on us! It reminded me of being in Colorado in the winter :). We also walked around the town, and encountered the CUTEST group of kids dressed up for the Cueca (because it was Chile´s national holiday). Then, we went to Valle de la Luna, and encountered LOTS of wind, and some of the most beautiful sights I have seen. We walked thruogh this canyon that was just magical, and felt the Desert energy as we froliced amongst the rocks and sand. We then climbed a huge dune, and watched the sun set over the Andes.... Just another day in the life..... Later on that night, we went back to our first Hostel (we had to change hostels the last day, but liked our first one so much we went back to say hi) and helped two girls visiting from Tel Aviv, Israel to celebrate the Jewish New Year. We ate Apples and honey with them to ensure a ¨sweet new year¨. It was awesome. Then, later that night we went out with our Chileana friends dancing in San Pedro.
We finaly came back to Viña after a 22 hour bus ride with smiles and memories we will never forget. The ONLY thing that soured the high was the fact that, while we were gone (my family was gone, too) a robber came in and stole some of my family´s jewelry, money, clothes, and my laptop. I am not so upset that my actual laptop is gone, but more upset that it was just taken, robbed from me. I´m pretty bummed, but think I can still survive without it. My host mom has offered to pay for it, but I am more concerned with using any extra money to travel and get a bike!
So, in a short nutshell, that was my week! There are many more stories, of course, but there are also a lot of pictures on Facebook (both Amelie and Jeannie took a lot) to fill any blank spaces. I hope all is well with everyone up in the North! Today is the first day of Spring here, and I am looking forward to a beautiful time down here.
Until later, Chau!