Departure Dance

Tuesday 16 November 2010
Lima airport this morning at the departure gate, travellers were treated to an impromptu performance of Chilean song and dance by a group waiting for their flight to Caracas. The musicians were playing their guitars and singing beautifully, the people in the hall clapping along. Then, a couple got up to dance, circling each other, hankies waving above their heads. By the time I'd got my camera out it was nearly over but I managed a couple of shots.
Quality wise, the pictures are not much but it was a lovely, joyous interlude for everyone present, smiles all around. Maybe it could happen at Heathrow? Maybe not.
The dance is Chile's national dance. Called the Cueca, it parodies the courtship between a cockerel and chicken, the hankies representing a cocks comb.

Atacama Sunset

Saturday 3 March 2007.

In the Atacama Desert, Chile, waiting for the sun to set. It was freezing, with a wind blowing that sliced through you. Beautiful though.

Orsono, Chile

Tuesday 27 February 2007.

The stunning Mount Orsono, a perfectly shaped volcano in Chile's Lakes Region. This was the first time I visited. I've been back twice since and seen nothing but rain - just like our own Lake District. I live in hope though.
The picture was taken from the town of Puerto Varas which is a lakeside resort.

I added a graduated filter to darken the sky and upped the contrast to bring out the features on the mountainside.

The End of The World

24th February 2007.
Punta Arenas, Chile, looking across to Tierra del Fuego. I felt like I was close to the ends of the earth. Patagonia has a lonely, desolate beauty that exerts a very powerful pull on many people, including me. This was my one and only visit (in 2007). It was summer and freezing and I've wanted to go back ever since.
I made friends with our local guide who, along with many of her friends, regard themselves as Magallanicos, as they are far away from where decisions are made in Santiago and often feel that they get short shrift.
In 2011 the region made the news when many tourists were stranded after the locals went on strike and blockaded all routes out (there are not many to blockade) after the Piñera government decided to raise fuel prices by 16%. In a region where heating is needed all year and jobs are scarce, it was a serious issue. My friend was trapped in Torres del Paine national Park with a group - I think they ended up hiking out after several days.