Weekend in Chile

I can hardly believe that we have been living in Peru for 3 months, but it's true. Consequently, we reached the end of our 90 day visas and this meant leaving the country and crossing the border back in, in order to renew them.

To accomplish this, we decided to visit Chile for the weekend. After all the hours which Tom has been working, we were both looking forward to a relaxing weekend away. We took a Cruz del Sur bus down to Tacna, a 6 hour journey. On arrival, we were approached by a local man who asked us if we required bus transportation to Arica, which we said we did, so we followed him to his office where we were given immigration forms to complete and were told that the price would be S/.20, which is the guide price we had been given from others who had previously made this trip and also internet forums.

We then followed him to the departure gate and boarded the bus. By the time the bus set off, we realised too late that we had been conned. The S/.20 we had given him did not cover our bus fare at all. The man was in fact no way related to the bus company. So we ended up having to pay the actual bus fare in addition. S/.20 is only £5, but that amount of money can buy both of us 2 meals.

There was nothing we could do about what had happened, so we focussed on the next stage of our journey. When we reached the Peruvian border, we expected to show our passports and immigration forms and pass through with no issues. However, the official was asking for some paperwork which we did not possess, something we should have been given when we first entered Peru. This caused some consternation. We were also required to complete more immigration forms. In the end, we were fined S/.31 just for being one day over our 90 day visa limit and for being unable to present the forms given upon entry to Peru.

Eventually we were permitted to pass through, and once again boarded the bus.

Upon reaching the Chilean border, we were required to complete yet another immigration form. Aside from that, our passports were stamped and we passed through with no problems.

Arriving in Arica, we were somewhat disappointed. The journey so far had been stressful, but we had consoled ourselves with the prospect of a nice weekend in Chile. However, Arica appeared to be a tacky, rundown seaside town. Like Morecambe, but worse.

After walking for what felt like a long time beneath the hot sun in the humid climate, unable to find our hostel, we came across a restaurant where we cheered ourselves up with a tasty meal and a beer. A very kind gentleman who worked there telephoned our hostel to obtain directions for us. Thanking him and leaving, we wandered further into town, to another bar where I ordered an incredibly strong and almost undrinkable pisco with cherry.

As darkness fell, we were tired and so decided to check in at a hostel down the street, rather than make our way out of town to our pre-booked hostel. We then ventured back into town to check out the local nightlife. Amongst other things, we saw a Michael Jackson impersonator, dancing and miming along to Billie Jean. Undoubtedly the highlight of our evening. After Tom drank an enormous pitcher of beer and I had slowly sipped a Tom Collins, we purchased a waffle stuffed with cheese and meandered back to our hostel.

We were awakened early in the morning by what sounded like serious building works taking place outside our bedroom window. We arose, ate breakfast and walked to the bus terminal, determined not to be taken advantage of again.

The journey back across the border went smoothly. Upon arriving at the Peruvian border, we were permitted to have 180 day visas, rather than just the usual 90 days, which was great news and meant that we would not have to take this trip again! Once at Tacna, we purchased seats on another Cruz del Sur bus and settled down for the final part of the journey home. For those who have travelled with Cruz del Sur, you will be familiar with the usual game of bingo they like to play. Taking the opportunity to test out how good our Spanish was, we decided to take part, and Tom won! His prize - a free ticket from Arequipa to Tacna. Not a journey we intend to make again!

So whilst the weekend in Chile had not been what we had hoped or expected, we at least now have experience of crossing the border, were granted the 180 day visas we wanted and Tom won his first game of bingo. I'm sure our next visit to Chile in several months time will be much more enjoyable.