Chile to Argentina

Oct 4-5, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

We chill out in San Pedro, using the internet and doing laundry. It’s a small, pleasant, colonial style town with all tourist services located within a few blocks. We are stuck here for a few days waiting for the next bus to Argentina. There are several tours offered, but coming from Bolivia, they seem passé.

In Chile, we notice that everyone has suddenly become younger. Vana and I are now chicos. In a restaurant, I address a young, but very tall woman as senora. She comes over almost out of breath, and explains how she is shocked. On the way out, I thank her as senorita. She is all smiles, from the return of youth.

These few days in Chile are a tremendous relief. Peru and Bolivia were really cool, but it’s like heaven to breathe normal air pressure. We also appreciate the higher quality and larger variety of food. Vana has decided that Chile is a great place, after seeing a picture of their female president at immigration office. It’s a little early to summarize the Chile experience, but we’ll be back in a few weeks.

patriotic mountain bike

wine and dine, makes us feel fine

CLICK HERE to see pictures from San Padro de Atacama


Oct 6 San Pedro de Atacama, Chile to Salta, Argentina by bus


Today, we take the 10 hour Pullman bus to Salta, Argentina. The bus climbs back the same road up towards Bolivia, but then turn south towards the Argentina border. The border is in the treeless rocky highlands. It doesn’t feel too high, but one woman on the bus is treated with oxygen. After dropping through some pretty cool canyons, we arrive around 9PM, and stay at Hostel Cathedral. The people working the place are really bizarre, as the guide book’s reference to the Adam’s family suddenly clicks.

Highlands near the border

Dropping through canyons towards Salta

Northwest Argentina desert

Oct 7 Salta to Buenas Aires, Argentina by bus

Salta offers more chances to visit deserts and canyons, but after the amazing jeep tour in Bolivia, we decide to pass. We spend a quick morning downtown to get Argentina pesos, breakfast, and a SIM card. At the bus station, Kevin scarfs down a pizza while Vana enjoys the wireless internet. The Salta bus is really nice, with better services most US airports.

At 1PM, we catch the Veloz del Norte 18 hour night bus to Buenos Aires. Again we score the seats of death, which are not popular with the locals. The bus is bonus, as the entire second floor is semi-cama class 2, a few notches better than business class on an airplane.

Kevin loves these South American busses. It’s neat to watch them “taxi” into the bus terminal, and park at the “gates”. After some Indiana Jones and Denzel Washington, the bus stops at a roadside restaurant for dinner, included with the bus ticket. Our first taste of the grass feed Argentine beef is delicious. Their beef is supposed to be more healthy and environmentally friendly than the corn feed beef common in the US. Which tastes better? We’ll see after a few days!

Hello from the seats of death to Buenos Aires