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Arica, Chile
March 26, 2023
Arica, Chile: population: about 248,000. Arica sits 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of the Chile-Perú border. In Chile, Arica is known as "the city of eternal spring." Arica was founded in April 1541, or 1570, or possibly 1584.
The Arica area has been inhabited for thousands of years. Archeologists have found pottery, petroglyphs, and geoglyphs dated back 10,000 years. Between the 4th and 9th centuries, the Tiahuanaco people lived in this valley and named it Ariacca. They lived with an agricultural and maritime economy. In time, they disappeared and were replaced by other groups, and these groups expanded the area further inland and introduced stepped farming, agriculture, and livestock.
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My South America Journey - Update Part 1
March 25, 2023
My South America Journey Update - Part 1
Since I left Roldanillo, Colombia back on October30 I visited Ecuador and Perú and just entered Chile a couple of days ago. A quick comparison of Ecuadorand Perú brings up what is to me the most noticeable difference:the people of Perú are friendlier than the people of Colombia andEcuador, in general. But, when anyone in this part of the worldgets behind the wheel of a car or on a motorcycle, they becomeincredibly rude or selfish. Out on the roads, it's "every man forhimself." I think I will find this throughout all the countries Ihave yet to visit. It's just part of the culture of SouthAmerica. Every driver of any and every motor vehicle thinks thathe/she is the king/queen of the road. I think the only reasonthey don't have more crashes is because of the slower speeds theytypically drive and all the speed bumps, which are almost everyblock of every road. Obviously, that's an exaggeration, but it'snot too much of a stretch. As far as comparing small-town peopleto big-city people it's the same everywhere - city people aretoo busy to be helpful and friendly and town people are more thanwilling to be friendly and helpful. I've seen this very often inmy travels. After spending nine and a half years in Colombia Ireally did fall in love with the town of Roldanillo, at the baseof the Andes in the northern part of the Valle del Cauca. But,the political and tax situation of Colombia has been changingfor a few years now and has been and continues to become lessfriendly to foreigners. Thus my search in the other countries ofSouth America which are friendlier to foreigners.
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Tacna, Perú
March 24, 2023
Tacna, Perú: population: about 325,000. Tacna is a desert city in the far south of Perú. Tacna was founded in June 1855.
The Tacna area has been occupied for many centuries by various indigenous groups. Around the year 800 the Incas came into the area and "settled" it. Then later, the Spaniards arrived and they "settled" it, again, in 1572. The first church was built in 1679. Over the years there had been many wars and battles between Perú and Chile and Tacna was typically right in the middle of them all. It wasn't until 1929 that the Tacna region was incorporated into Perú.
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Moquegua, Perú
March 18, 2023
Moquegua, Perú: population: about 90,000. When the Spanish founded the city they gave it the name "Villa de Santa Catalina de Guadalcázar del Valle de Moquegua." The date of its founding is questionable. First, though, the pronunciation of its name is 'moh - kay - wah'.
Moquegua and the valley it sits in has been inhabited for a very long time. There were several successive cultures over thousands of years before the Incas conquered the Wari people. Archeologists have found a site they date back to 3500BC that includes habitations and workshops. Over the centuries various groups have inhabited the valley and the nearby mountains and hills. The Wari developed terraced farms along the hillsides. Then along came the Incas in the 15th century. They conquered the Wari and the other groups of indigenous peoples. Then a century later the Spanish arrived and conquered the Incas. As for the founding date of Moquegua, that is uncertain. According to traditions passed down it was in November 1541. The city name was changed to Moquegua in 1821.
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Arequipa, Perú
March 16, 2023
Arequipa, Perú: population: about 1,200,000. "The White City." Arequipa sits in a high mountain valley, the Chili Vally, with Andes on two sides and high coastal hills on the other two sides. In the Andes Mtns are three volcanos - The Misti (an active volcano), and Pikchu Pikchu and Chachani which are extinct volcanos. The Chili River runs through the center of the city. The Pacific Ocean is 129 kilometers (80 miles) to the west. The city was founded in August 1540, with the name "Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunta." But, in 1541 the Spanish monarch Carlos V decreed that it should be renamed, the "City of Arequipa." Arequipa is also called "the White City" because of the construction material used for most of the historical and some newer buildings - sillar. Sillar is a white volcanic stone that is mined outside of the city. Arequipa is also a pedestrian-friendly city and has very good bus and taxi services.
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