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 The FamiliarBack to Surf's Up!By Mike Beris - 2009-07-23
"You guys should come up to Iquique (say: "ick-kee-kay") next week and speak at the youth group. There’s a beach there," said Carla, a girl we met last week at church in Calama. How hard did we have to think? Well, actually, pretty hard. Daniel and Dan had just spent two weeks doing the city thing in Santiago, and they were eager to get back on the bikes. Chris and I had had a good time riding across the desert, and felt strong and ready to head to Bolivia. But Carla’s invitation to meet the kids she works with and hang out on the beach trumped our wanderlust. We caught a bus to Iquique, and it was almost like we were visiting a town we already knew. High-rise apartments and condos lined the busy road tracing the shore. Quaint restaurants with outside-dining decks were filled with people in shorts and tank tops. Kids played soccer in the sand. Was this Ocean City, Maryland?
Adding to the feeling of familiarity was our meeting Carla again. She came to the beach with us, then took us to a great place to get some fried fish and french fries.
Carla works with the youth group at church, and introduced us to some of the kids. We had a great time playing soccer on the beach with them.
We also met up with Dick and Linda Lawyer for the second time. The Lawyers live in the same town as Daniel and I back in the United States, but we first met them last week in Calama. When you meet people from home overseas like this, it seems to speed up the time it takes to feel familiar with them. Meeting them for a Chinese dinner in Iquique was like getting together with old friends.
Carla also introduced us to Aaron and his family. Aaron is in the US Air Force, and he is stationed in Chile to help the Chilean Air Force get to know their F-16 fighter jets. Pretty cool job, eh?
Our detour to the beach town of Iquique gave us lots of new memories, and lots of reminders of home. 
Peanut Gallery(No Subject)bettykjbush 2009-07-24 00:18:24 UTC
How fun to see you guys and the Lawyers at dinner! We’ve done dinner with them too, stateside of course! Prayers and Hugs all around to you guys Kathy & Tim Johnson (No Subject)Anonymous 2009-07-25 21:16:42 UTC
Did you discover that you and the Lawyers have Perspectives in common? Anne (No Subject)lindaellen425 2009-07-26 02:33:19 UTC
You guys fit in anywhere! You make friends so easily! from a former acquaintance in san pedroeebecker 2009-07-30 19:47:54 UTC
Hey guys! Looks like your journey is continuing well. I met you all in the town square (Erin from Iowa/North Carolina) at San Pedro de Atacama and we chatted briefly about your website and adventures, but I was headed back to Santiago that afternoon. I remember you were eating pomegranates and looking a bit worn out, hehe. Finally I have pulled out the business card you gave me and looked up the site. Very cool! I’m back in the US now but missing Chile quite a bit. I hope after I graduate university I can find/create an opportunity like you guys have to do some very meaningful travel. Best of luck and I’ll keep checking in about what you all are up to. :) Espero que todo te vaya bien!! Erin |
