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We’re going on an excursion through the Valley of Limari, which is rich in agriculture. If you see it in a fruit bowl in Chile, it most likely grows here in this valley.
On our way to the western part of the valley we make frequent stops to admire the scenery, listen to the birds and inhale the clean, fresh air.
Where in one field the corn crops have already been harvested, in the other field the next crop is starting to show. How wonderful to have an all year round growing season.
The road takes us to Fray Jorge National Park, away from the valley into a forest of cactus trees. We pass a number of small agricultural communities, nestled in the crevices of the mountains where the water flows, allowing for some farming.
In some of these communities, there has not been electricity for years. Once Solar energy became available some made use of that luxury. Now, new power lines are sprouting up out of the ground, making a big difference to the people living here. For those who have a cell phone, they may have to walk out onto the field or the road, until they find a signal.
Farming is done here in the traditional way, with little use of modern technology. Everything is done by hand. Instead of picket fences or posts, live cactus fences are used to mark the territory. You wouldn’t dare to climb over one of those, as those cactus needles are pretty sharp.
We continue on a narrow, winding sand road into the park. We decide not to go too far in with these road condition and after a visit to the interpretative centre we turn back for a picnic lunch at the gate, where it is very peaceful amongst the cactus trees and the many varieties of birds.
The temperature us perfect; not too hot. We could stay here all afternoon. But have other plans for today. We head back east and follow another dirt road, which seems to be under construction, but with a little patience we make it through.
Our destination is Valle de Encanto (Enchanted Valley). A large area in a canyon with a enormous number of huge boulders on which many petroglyphs can be seen dating back 2,000 years. Interestingly, some of the drawings show human figures with antennas on their heads. Did these people know something we don’t know?
As we hike down into the canyon, we can hear the water trickling through the rocks and discover some caves and more drawings. I would be so interested to know what these drawings mean.
A large number of the rocks low to the ground have cup like indentations in them. They served as mortars. Most likely for corn, of which there seemed to be plenty here, as we see when we return to the village, where corn is spread out onto the field to dry. I notice the colour being a deep orange rather than the yellow corn we are familiar with.
We take a different road back to Ovalle, completing the loop. I am so tired when we return to our room, all I want to do is take a nap.
When I wake up, the street below is full of activities. People coming from work wanting to do some shopping. Vendors calling out the goods they have to offer, “Pan Amasado, Pansito Fresco (fresh, hand made buns) or “Choclo, dies por mil”. (Corn, ten for 1000 Pesos).
By the time we are ready to go for dinner, most of the stores along the shopping street below us are closing and we have to walk quite a number of blocks to find a restaurant that is still open.
Being one of the last guests has one advantage; the service is good. We receive a complimentary Apple liqueur after dinner, which makes us even sleepier.
But sleeping here, down town is not a given. At 11:00 pm, the Karaoke Bars open up and we listen to numerous different versions of Abba or Julio Iglesias songs, some better than others. Free entertainment until everything quiets down at 2:00 am. That’s when we finally get to go to sleep.
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