Iquique

Iquique is one of those places that you can only ever imagine until you have seen it.

I'm pretty sure I have seen it on Top Gear, actually.

The city is surrounded on all side by an incredible sand dune. This is the sand dune of all Biblical Epics! The city sprawls is ramshackle way from the base of the dune to the Pacific Ocean.

As the road winds its way down to the coast, the expanse of sea, sand and city is truly breathtaking.

Thus began our time in Iquique. A morning enjoying the benefits of tax free shopping (for reasons which still evade me), and a wonderful hour on the coast, watching the surfers breakers roll.

It is not a competiton, but on the hospitality front Iquique has opened hearts and minds in the most beautiful of ways. Steak, egg and chips for lunch, for example.

It is worth noting, however, that beneath the surface of such glorious beauty, there is also a darker side to this city.

This is not meant as a reflection to scare or to set our work in a way that reflects negatively on our experience here.

As the childrens' work took place in a plaza near the church (another 40 or so kids involved) those of us surrounding the play area became increasingly aware of the drug trafficking that was happening.

The task again today was leafleting cars at the traffic lights, and to graffitti willing drivers' vehicles.

There was a very real clash of cultures. Even in the midst of this wild world, a moment of grace happened.

A car pulled up to the traffic lights.
The sort of car that says 'drug dealer'
You know the sort.
I passed the flier through the window, with the now well practised blessing.

It is worth noting that at the time, I was also holding a number of balloons.

One seeing the balloons, the car occupants (bling, blue smoke and beats) smiled. I handed them a balloon, to which there was great delight from inside the car.

The car occupants and the balloon were last seen waving their way through the traffic light system of Iquique.

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