Crossing Over

I don't think too many people would disagree with me if I said that one of the reasons people chose to live abroad is to maximize travel opportunities. Before I came to Chile I was REALLY optimistic about all that I would be able to see over the course of just one short year, and now that I'm over the halfway mark I know that I was a little too optimistic. In my recent travels I've met backpackers who've been traveling for almost 5 months and still haven't seen it all. Money is obviously a huge factor and South America is a big place. Of course it makes sense when you put it all into perspective, but before you move to a new country it's natural to think about what you'll be able to do and see, not about how far away Ecuador really is from Chile.
I didn't realize how overwhelming it was until I recently sat down at the computer with the LAN Chile page open, combing the website for last minute deals and trying to maximize my remaining summer vacation until classes begin shortly. (cue the violins, right?)
Indecision led me to take an easy bus trip from Santiago, over the Andes Mountains and into Mendoza, Argentina. Many people make this journey to renew their 90 day tourist visas, and others like me do it to see a new city in another country and of course to drink more wine. Mendoza has a great wine culture as well, so more wineries were definitely on the list of things to do. Armed with a seat at the front of the bus and my anti-nausea pills, I left at about 8:30am and took the day bus to take advantage of all of the pretty scenery. It's definitely not as breathtaking in the summer without the snow on the Andes, but there is some added peace of mind in knowing that you won't get stuck up there. It's not a bad ride at all, 3 hours until the border crossing and then from there only another 3 hours to go.

Not a bad place to stop for customs

Thank you for visiting Chile!

These views make the long bus ride worthwhile

More on my visit to the Canyon de Atuel and wine drinking in the next post!