It already started great: Directly at the first day after our arrival (it was the 31^st of December 2004) they had a big barbecue. What we never had before: Barbecue in the garden at New Year's eve. Rodrigo (left), who is just preparing the meet, is skilled chef and droped several times over to cook for us. Agnes, the graceful Frenchwoman, helped him enthused, while Gonze, Papa Panda's dog, watched like a hawk, that both are doing right. (mi)

Christmas '05 turned out a little piteous (see also the report "Sun and Salt"), but therefore New Year's eve was so much better: With delicious barbecue meet and salads and along with so many young people! After dinner there was a jam-session with drums and saxophone. And Gonze started to sing dedicatively. Yes, the dog! And ist sounded amazing. Later we went to dance along with the Dutch cyclists Sandra and Ronald, who were as fit as a fiddle. What a night! (mi)

Here at the beautiful adobe house with wild garden we found our paradise. Two hammocks, a deck-chair, and a bench from adobe invited to relax. In the backround sounded lounge-music or quiet jazz, the birds twittered, it was wonderful warm... just optimal to chill out from the hard stage in Bolivia. (mi)

Everywhere in Papa Panda's house I discovered beautiful still lifes and details (from ri. to le.): View from the hammock to old cookware, the family altar in the kitchen, the view out of the bathroom-window, and lots more. We've seen many family altars in Sout America, but that in the house of Papa Panda was the most beautiful. A harmonic arrangement from embosomed souvenirs, talismans, and floral ornaments. (mi)

Of course I also loved the atmosphere at Papa Pandas, because an artist was part of the "family". It was much fun to philosophize with Pulpo, even if I only understood half (the Chileans speak a wonderful, melodic Spanish, unfortunately much too fast). Pulpo painted a lot at the Panda, because his studio was too small. His art inspired me a lot and soon I also have been busy painting. (mi)

It was really hard to escape from the hammocks, the food, and the beautiful music, to go on excursion. But it's worth it! Above an old ruin city near San Pedro de Atacama one obtains an excellent view. From here you can see, that the Atacama Desert is very multifaced and beautiful around San Pedro. (mi)

Once Papa Panda suggested to go on an excursion with the bicycles. There we came by an old Salpeter mine. The sunset light made a very special atmosphere. If Papa Panda summons his dog you nearly can't hear it. The dog takes orders even if he whispers - at once! (mi)

In an oasis near San Pedro is situated a mill, which is driven by water. It is more than 100 years old and still works perfect. Markus gazes the clever technic with the simplest means. (mi)

Not only the landscape around San Pedro is fascinating. Also there is a lot archeological to explore. From time immemorial people lived here and left amazing remains of their culture, like this mummy in very good condition shows.
One of Papa Pandas friends is a very comitted archeologist. When we visited the museum, Wilfredo guided us privately. At every chance he scetched all details, to explain them better. For the farewell he gave us a rock-knife, and a needle from a cactus-spike, wich he made himself in the original technic of the sapients. He does his job really with passion! We admired him a lot. (ma,mi)

Some goodbyes hurt. Here I had a lump in my throat and wet eyes. Thanks to Papa Panda we had a wonderful time and got the best first impression from Chile, one can get. (ag)