Adventures of YB125 in Chile, part 5

I continue the story of a trip to South America with my wife on a motorcycle Yamaha YB125 named "Friend". As usual, today there will be a lot of photos. Let's go!
After we rode through the Atacama Desert, we continued on our way to the south.

Antofagasta! Until now, scientists are arguing about the etymology of this word, but it sounds, of course, mystically. The place is not easy, like its name. A fascinating story from the pre-Inсas era to the beginning of the Pacific War and our days. Today it is a city that lives by trade and mining industry. A large, elongated (like most of the ports of Chile), alive and quite pleasant to yourself, despite the mountains of debris in every wasteland. Just imagine, the Chilean town now was formed in fact in the territory of Bolivia around the Anglo-Chilean company for the production of saltpetre.
But if you walk through the center of Antofagasta, history is clearly illustrated by various monuments, architecture and even street art. How it appeared - it's hard to understand - most of the interviewed townspeople do not know why the British flag is shown on the monument of the main square, and it's also difficult to answer where this English trend in architecture comes from :)

Teleton
For almost forty years there has been a charity marathon Teleton in the country. They spend it on the first weekend of December every year. This, you can say, is a national holiday, which is accompanied by frantic merriment. For two days the whole country, including various organizations (supermarkets, companies, private companies, etc.) and ordinary people, collects the amount established for this year. The money goes to the construction of health centers and to help children with various diseases (medical and rehabilitation).
Unrealistically cool is not only that the reason for the fun is a noble cause, but the very approach of the Chileans to this holiday. Several times in its history, the marathon has failed, but in the past few years, the real excitement has come to collect the right amount. And now for the second time the raised amount exceeds the request. Chileans are proud of this! :) Rejoice :) and everyone questioned believes that there will be no more failures. So let it be!
Book fairs, promotions from spa and beauty salons (massage or manicure, for example, can be done directly on the street at reduced prices, while maintaining a marathon), markets for handicrafts, for children, around it all are columns of brilliant washed wagons with deafening horns (as a sign that their transport company was backed by Teleton), carbineeros (carrying out the role of police in the country - they also make contributions), discounts in supermarkets, music on the street, etc. Each city competes with neighboring in the scope of festivities and the amount of collected funds. Bravo!

After San Pedro it seemed like paradise to spend 4 days in Antofagasta) humid air, a washing machine, a kitchen and a fruit shop near by, and even if you took two steps to buy bread - you will see the ocean. I even worked inspired and excited. Here is another sunset, a little more, the moment is caught, we go further!

"And in which direction are you going?" To the South? oooo! Congratulations! there are incredibly beautiful beaches! "This we heard before. And now the practice :))

Here the ocean is the sea. When local people speak about it, the word itself sounds very soft, loving. "Do not be afraid of the sea, when it makes a noise," our old people say, "be afraid when it ceases." And this proverb was born here not by chance. If the sea in these places subsides and recedes from the shore, then it's time to escape to the hills of the desert.

It's not difficult to guess that Chile is a country of surfing. And there are special spots here, some even hold international and national competitions. In the season, 6-10 meter waves come, and now they are lower, but stable, left-handed, up to 300 meters long. Only a wetsuit is mandatory.

To be continued...