My host mom took Erin and I to see the “desierto florido” about a half hour away from Copiapó. It was much more colorful than when I first saw it about a month ago on my way to Porto Fino. It was covered in small fuchsia flowers, a really pretty color. Apparently it’s supposed to be in full bloom by September or October, so we might make one more trip out there then, because this only happens once every ten years or so, and I’m lucky I just so happen to be here to see it! The thing I couldn’t understand is how these tiny little flowers survive for so long without any rain. It hasn’t rained once since I’ve been here, it must a have rained a few times before I came, but that little rain in the beginning supposedly allows the desert to flower for three or four months. These flowers are tiny and look really delicate, so I can’t quite figure out how they survive and flourish for three months without water and temperatures ranging from 65°F during the day, down to 30°F at night. I guess it’s a special breed. I’ve heard that the Atacama is the only desert that does something like this.
After the desert, we went to the zoo in Copiapó. It was small, but it was also free and had some exotic animals I’d never seen. I guess there’s this nice park right next to it, that’s used for asados or BBQs other gatherings. I don’t really know because I declined the invitation to walk around the park…I was tired. It was a fun filled weekend though! Cueca, flowering desert and the Zoo!
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