22 hours through the Chilean mountains...

after a trip to the fish market downtown and another trip to a fabulous Chilean beach, I sadly had to leave Santiago and the wonderful Benjamin family. I am so thankful for their hospitality (I stayed there a week longer than intended!) as they were brilliant hosts who taught me a lot.

so early early early in the AM Mrs. B and Michelle brought me to the bus station. I chose a VIP bus since I was going to be on it for 22 hours... leather seats which fully recline, a man who serves you food and drinks constantly, and of course movies. I was really surprised at the bus station how many of these gigantic double decker buses there were, most decked with pimpsized seats and all with a wait staff. Busing is very common here in South America, although it is very common for them to be stopped by riots or break down (just a part of the adventure).

We said our tearful goodbyes and I got on. Hoping to sit by the hottest South American bachelor ever, I was a bit disappointed by the dumpy business man I got instead. He was a bit odd but a great companion, speaking in English and Spanish and teaching me the ropes of these VIP buses. Across from him was a traveling journalist finding rare places in South America to write about. He loved to sing to his iPod, which I found hilarious. Both were really helpful.

The view was INCREDIBLE. Going through the Andes was outstanding... like I said the mountains are huge, and the buses somehow wind about on these tiny little roads. One road was literally 30 steep turns for about a mile, reminded me of a fruit roll-up. This was the first time I have enjoyed customs, just because the view was amazing.

The movie selection was a bit intense for my taste - first at noon they played 35 mm, a really vulgar film with Nicholas Cage. I was very surprised considering there were multiple families on the bus and was offended myself. Then The Patriot added some spice to conversation as everyone suddenly thought the UK was so mean to America and I became really cool. Lastly before bed was Valkyrie, also quite violent... The bus driver must have felt a bit macho that day.

We arrived in Buenos Aires safely 22 hours later. Sleeping next to a stranger is a bit awkward, so I was relieved to have a hostel bed for the next night. And a shower. I smelt like a drag rat.