I'm in the desert!

Well, an oasis actually. San Pedro de Atacama. Actually, it's a bit like Camden. Lots of ethnic rag shops and tourists. But it is beautiful - clear blue skies, hot sun, little adobe buildings {no, I don't actually know what that means but it's wot my book says}, exotic looking trees {including such notable species as bigus treeus pineappleus and Foreigntreesmisc.us} and more obviously indian looking inhabitants {although I must say, the tourists dominate somewhat}. Have booked tours to see Valle de la Luna {wooooo!}, salar de atacama {wooooooooo!} and some geysers at a place called tatio {well, this is Camden}. BOOM! BOOM! So far I have also booked myself into another dumpy hostel - the room is OK, but the environs leave a little something to be desired for one of my luxurious tastes {whisper it, but I don't think I'm cut out for this slummy travelling life - one never feels entirely at rest unless one has room service. And can one get a valet here? No. I wonder how Queen Bess will deal with such a limited lifestyle....like a dream, no doubt...anyway, I digress}. Um, lost my place. Oh yes, have yet to encounter any of the other inhabitants except one fat bloke on his way out. Not like t'other place in Santiago, which was rammed with English students and sundry other Europeans. Anyway....what else?

Oh, the bus journey was amazingly luxurious. Knocks anything in England into a cocked hat {please forgive me, Berry's Superfast London to Taunton thunderbolt). I had to go for the expensive fully reclining bed option as that was all that was available but it was wonderfully roomy and they bring little things to eat and call you caballero....not very interesting perhaps, apart from those students of my shockingly neglected paper - Interesting Bus And Train Journeys We Have Known {I particularly recommend chapters "Basingstoke" and "Crewe."}.

I had a giant empanada for lunch {that's a cornish pasty to you lot} which was the size of my head. No kidding. I couldn't finish it. I also took James' sound advice and had a jugo de pineapple which was most refreshing. Mmmmm.

Still feeling like a ninny languagewise. Must do better. Apparently Chileans speak fast and furiously which is my excuse. Though I think I might pass "at the bus station module" after this mornings efforts.

BEARD ALERT - currently, there is some light brown downy fluff around my chops including {pleasingly} a few flecks of ginger. (Think a young Dr Billet, Ampleforth alumni}. Don't feel too ridiculous as this type of facial hair seems to be in vogue amongst us travelling folk

I shall leave you now. I am sure you are all looking forward to the entries after my tours aroud the desert when no doubt I will tell you that the salt flats are quite salty, the desert is hot and the geysers are wet. Ah me, my poetic soul. Do you reckon I'll get a gig at Lonely Planet? No, me neither.

Hope everyone is well. X