This summer I went to the outskirts of Iquique, Chile to see the nitrate historical mines.
Hard to imagine a drive so long and steep from the coast and all the way across the altiplane to be so arid and beautiful and thought provoking. Most dominant thought was “wonder how many days a person would survive in the middle of this nowhwere”.
Blue sky and sand and a brightness so intense it was beautiful, hot and had bite. Of the hundreds of pictures I took, these are my favourites as they remind you of the world that once existed in these mining communities. The way some items have been preserved, and how much is no longer there.
In the heat the shadows of the buildings were intense, and the gentle breeze added to the emptiness.
A silence that was stirring at times, yet calming.
This almost petrified stump and rusty metal surroundings, half burried in sand. One of many treasures found.
This picture shows a window with holes, it turns out that this is metal sheeting from where they cut off the tops used for bottling drinks.
The metal is cutt off and leaves this metal sheet that was re-used as some sort of fly screen for the workshop windows.
The intensity of light and the hues of pink, reds and purples are so beautiful. That is why you should plan to make a date and get out and try this. 
I was most surprised that open aperture can soak in the light and colour to this intensity.
