Tacna

border control and christmas

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We decided to take a short trip across the border to check off Peru. Getting there turns out to be more of an odyssey than we initially thought.

At the international bus stop, we go to the taxi section and get herded into a bright neon yellow car. They take our passports and walk away. Two other passengers join our six seater car (three in the back, driver and two shotgun) and eventually we get our passports back. I wasn't worried at all, you were.

We drive to the border, where we all have to get out in order to get in line to have our papers checked by both the Chilean border control as well as the Peruvian one. There's a queue for each. Then we all wait for the car to get inspected and continue our drive to Tacna.

Despite my best efforts to avoid it and despite the weather, it's Christmas time. Tacna let's us know ferociously, with plastic Christmas trees and plastic nativity scenes and jingle music everywhere.

We get food and drinks, do some light shopping and when Joe and I can barely stay awake anymore we head home - the same way we came in.

At home I feel lightheaded and a little sick and fall asleep right away. But I do have some eight new stamps in my passport now.Read more