Happy New Year!

Perhaps it’s a sign of how seriously the Chilenos take their
New Year partying that our hotel laid breakfast on until 1 in the
afternoon. We weren’t up that late! Outside the big stage had been cleared away
and litter pickers were out.

We decided to take a walk along the promenade towards the
main part of La Serena. The detritus of
the night’s entertainment was everywhere.
People were beginning to park up for the day. We felt sorry for the parking ticket officers
who you pay to park. They had dark
coloured, heavy uniforms on. Similarly
snuggly dressed were the lifeguards, clad from head to toe in luminous yellow
caps and tracksuits. No tightly fitting red swimsuits here.

Though it was New Year’s Day and one of the busiest days on
the calendar, a lot of restaurants were closed, including the very good Italian
we had found.

Eventually thirst took the better of us and we ordered a
couple of Schopp and sat in the shade. A
few minutes later a plate of chips turned up with several sachets of
condiments. Chips are always welcome but
the waitress could see our mixed emotions.
She explained that the restaurant was only licensed to sell alcoholic
beverages with food, and that the chips were free! What a perfectly civilised country. We also bought a couple of cheese empanadas.

So we sat on the front for quite a long time. As the afternoon drew on, more and more
people flocked to the beach carrying cool boxes, parasols, blankets and
seats. There was a large sign saying no
pets on the beach which is a nonsense as most dogs here were roaming free. Street vendors sold cakes and nuts. A man approached us to try and sell a copper
pan and some jewellery which all seemed a bit dodgy.

It was really hot, even in the shade. After so much people watching, it was a
relief to retire to the cool of our hotel rooms and do some reading.