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Published: July 22nd 2008
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Andes
Bus from Valparaiso->Mendoza To travel from this part of Chile to Mendoza means crossing the Andes via an extremely picturesque route. Initially you can only see the snowy mountains from a distance but then the road winds up through them, a series of switchbacks seemingly without end that takes you to the pass at just over 4,000m. The brightness of the snow is startling at these elevations, and a contrast to the clear deep blue of the sky. At this time of year, the pass is often blocked by snow, and it appeared that conditions were great for winter sports, with both downhill and cross-country skiers in evidence. Going by the number of lorries labouring up (and down) the road, it would seem that this is the major trade route in the vicinity.
With not having done much prior research, I'd unwittingly chosen a seat on the wrong side of the bus for the best views (when seated, you need to be on the right hand side), however I was given a small reprieve in an unlikely fashion. About 20km after crossing the border with Argentina, we did a U-turn and started heading back. Subsequent events made it clear that we'd somehow left
a passenger at the border. Their ill fortune was good for me, as it meant I was able to enjoy some of the scenery from the correct side of the bus.
I had a monstrous headache from God knows where by the time we arrived in Mendoza, and did not have the energy to carry on to my intended destination San Juan. I'd already researched hostels in case something like this happened, and so I trundled along to one not far from the station. The 8-bed dorm appeared to have 7 people already in it, based on the quantity of clothes and other items strewn around the place, but it was actually just 3 students who hadn't yet learned the etiquette of communal living. When they returned to the dorm after midnight, one decided to embark on a lengthy texting session, accompanied by the random beeping that occurs when people haven't figured out how to turn off the key-press sound on their phone. With an early start ahead of me, I pushed the envelope of my Spanish-speaking ability and asked him if it was totally necessary to be making this noise in the dorm at this time. He looked
Andes
Bus from Valparaiso->Mendoza at me and pointed at his phone, saying "This?", as though there were several other noise sources in the room that I might be referring to.
During my 6AM rise, I somehow managed to drop my deodorant canister. And I must say it makes quite a satisfying clatter on a wooden floor. Especially when you do it twice.
I don't really like merely overnighting in places that might deserve more time, but I've been going so slowly through South America that I won't see some of the other countries I want to visit if I don't hurry up. Hence Mendoza will have to go on my "To see" list for the future.
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