It is normal to hear people talking on the news or on the radio about how dirty and poorly organized Iquique is. I agree that those facts are undeniably true. However, we should also try to keep in mind that Iquique is world renowned and widely visited by thousands of tourists every year. Advantages such as the size of the city, its wonderful climate, and the great variety of places it has are all reasons why I consider Iquique a great place to live.
First of all, the size of the city is a great advantage for any person living in Iquique and for tourists visiting the place for the first time. Iquique is one of the few cities in Chile that allows citizens to move from one place to another in a couple of minutes without having to drive a car or wait for a taxi. In fact, a lot of young people prefer walking or riding a bicycle because in that way they get exercise, save money, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This great advantage also makes it possible for families to practice a more communal way of life because they are able to see each other not only during the morning or at night, but also during lunch time which is something unheard of for most families living in big cities.
Moreover, the climate of the city is a great advantage. People visiting Iquique don’t need to worry about what to wear or if they have to bring special clothing because this city is located in the north of Chile, so it never rains and winters are not extremely cold either. In fact, some people love swimming during the winter season because the water is not freezing like in other cities where certain sports such as surfing are only practiced during summer. This excellent weather also allows people to go out on a cold night and meet with friends in outdoor restaurants or pubs simply because the excellent weather conditions allow it.
Having attractive places to visit all day long is certainly another advantage. During the day people may have the chance to walk along Baquedano Street which was recently inaugurated and is full of excellent restaurants and small stores. Other places, such as the Municipal Theater and the Regional Museum are open every day and are frequently visited by tourists interested in knowing more about our culture and history. Going to Zofri is also a good choice. People usually spend a long time buying delicious chocolates, sampling perfumes, or pricing electrical devices which are tax free. At night people can decide whether to go to a restaurant, a pub, or a discotheque to eat delicious food and listen to good music. The Casino is open all day long and is one of the most visited places in our city because it has a great variety of games and a complete bar which offers a huge selection of drinks. Young people also have the chance to decide where to go. “Sala Murano” and “Kamikaze” are the two most important discos in Iquique, widely visited by teenagers who love dancing. Pubs and bars are another great choice especially for those who prefer a more relaxed place.
I understand that living in a clean and organized city is a great benefit. However, having the possibility to live in a manageable city with excellent weather throughout the whole year and with interesting places to visit all day long is much more important than anything else. As a college student, I admire the people who move to a bigger city to study and live, but as years go by I have realized that I am also proud of my decision because I know that I would never have had all these advantages if I had gone to live in another place.
By Rose Marie Kuschel R.
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