Chug Chug December 2009

We visited a geoglyph site near Iquique (to the north) when we first arrived in Chile and knew that there was a site near Calama so decided to use a quiet weekend (okay, generally when we are in Calama all weekends are quiet) in between Christmas and New Year's to visit Chug Chug.

I decided I needed a lesson regarding terminology which I'll share with you here:

A *petroglyph is an  image created on a rock by removing part of the rock surface.
A *pictograph is an image drawn or painted on a rock surface.
A *geoglyph is a drawing on the ground by arranging stones, stone fragments, gravel or earth to create a positive geoglyph (raised) or removing stones, etc., to expose ground and create a negative geoglyph.
*Thanks Wikipedia!

As evidenced by the sign we found at the site, there wasn't a lot of information regarding these geoglyphs. The sign is merely stating that Chug Chug is an archeological site and to respect it.  I'm ever grateful for Google and my ability to find information on nearly anything I have a question about. See below this picture a link that references Chug Chug and a brief summary of the information I found at that site.

According to:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/arica/A39129.html

pre-Columbian geoglyphs have been found in the Atacama Desert between Calama and Nazca in Peru. The geoglyphs were created between the 11th and 15th centuries and are believed to have most likely served as route markers for travelers.

It is amazing that we were able to follow a path that passes by some of the geoglyphs.

The Atacama Desert never ceased to amaze me at how barren it is. 

2009 Comes to an End

Since my last post, we:
1. celebrated our second Thanksgiving in Calama with the other expat families,
2. traveled to North America in early December,
3. celebrated our first Christmas and New Year's in Calama,
4. and had a going away tea for our friend Odessa.

We all wanted leftover turkey so three of us cooked a turkey for the gathering the weekend before Thanksgiving (Thanksgiving Day was just another workday). In the photo are Odessa and her husband David carving a turkey in the background and Josh carving a turkey in the foreground.

























Larry had business in Vancouver, B.C., the first part of December and I tagged along.  We traveled Calama, Santiago, Dallas and Denver on this trip.  We then rented a vehicle in Denver and drove to Scottsbluff arriving in time to pick up Larry's dad and take him home after nearly 4 months of either being in the hospital or a care facility.  Can't imagine how good that must have felt.

We traveled to Chadron to see Virginia and Dennis and watch Nebraska football. I don't remember who we played but do remember we lost.  Could be that Virginia, Cherri and I visited a bit during the game ....

The trips back to Harrison during 2009 allowed us to enjoy Lilacs in May, raking leaves in October and shoveling snow this last trip.  We enjoyed the snow and cold knowing we'd be leaving!

We left on Monday heading back to Denver with Larry going to Vancouver and me to Phoenix.  Loved getting to see nephew Jimmy again and meeting his new dog and always enjoy seeing Jim and Liz too.

Sue traveled with me for a quick trip to Safford to take care of business related to the HOUSE THAT WE STILL HAVE FOR SALE THERE!  Anyway, took care of business and then headed to a friend's home to spend the night.  Always fun to get to see Becky and Marty and the kids.

Upon return to Phoenix I had dinner with friend Karen Gildersleeve (where was my camera?) and ended the time in Phoenix by celebrating Sue's birthday -- what a great way to end this trip to the U.S. 

l-r: Sue, Allison (back), Barb W., Jackie, Barb N. (back), Michelle, Joan (back) and Susie.

Larry left Vancouver and I left Phoenix and we met up in Dallas and headed "home." 

On Christmas Eve, we invited our neighbors over for an open house.

l-r: Regina, Patricia, Janette, Tracey, Julie and Odessa.

l-r: Ruben, Martin, David, Marcello, Josh, Carlos, Larry and Guillermo.

Patricia's birthday was on the 23rd and Ruben and I share the 24th.

Larry's assistant Rosalia stopped by too.

Odessa was the expat wife here when I arrived and had been here for 5 years at that time.  She is a kind, helpful, generous person.  She was my exercise buddy, grocery shopping buddy and Spanish language acquisition cheerleader.  I'm glad for her that she gets to return to life in the U.S. but I'm going to miss her terribly.  Bye Odessa!  Thank goodness for email!

l-r: Regina, Patricia, Odessa, Tracey, Janette and Lita.