Argentine Adventures #3: A bus trip through the Andes

Crossing the border and friends made along the way

Driving out of Santiago

Bussing through the Andes

Thankfully, the border opened, and Malcolm got me to the terminal safely.

I lined up at the CATA INTERNACIONALE stall, where they gave me my boarding pass. A young Argentine couple helped me, as they spoke English well, and discovering that we were taking the same bus, we waited together. Again, this is God’s provision—it would have been hard for me to know which bus was mine, otherwise.

My seat was surely the best: right at the front on the top storey of the double-decker bus! A lady was sitting next to me, but she moved to be with her friend, so I even got extra space.

Driving out of Santiago, we could see nothing but fog. Even the cars in front of us were hazy. I worried that meant snow up on the mountains and more border problems, but it completely cleared up and is looking beautiful!

Unfortunately, there is no free wifi as I expected, so I can’t let anyone know I’m ok. And unfortunately, I did not bring enough food or water. But I’ll be fine…

Cars, trucks, and buses lining up at the border crossing

At the border

Actually, I lie. I think we passed the border. The customs place seems about half an hour into Argentine territory, even though I’m pretty sure the Chilean government runs it.

We spent about three and a half hours waiting! I hear it’s normally 30 minutes.

Again, God was so kind to me. An Argentine woman helped me find food—I bought a hamburquesa. We talked in a mix of English and Spanish, and she basically adopted me.

I wasn’t nervous about the delay—this is Latin America, after all. But when I realised I’d be arriving in Mendoza after dark, Silvia (the woman) led me to a man (Jorge, who she’d just met, too!) who first helped me to communicate via WhatsApp with my hostel. People are so kind!

1. Snow on the Chilean side; 2. Desert on the Argentine side

The empty seat proves useful

Of course, we love extra space when we can get it. But the spare seat was all the more lovely because the people I met came and sat with me!

First, for maybe an hour, was the young woman who helped me at the terminal. She offered me my first mate—and while we were still in Chile, too! This is the traditional tea of Argentina. What an honour to receive such a precious offer of friendship. The tea is very bitter, definitely an acquired taste. But it was a beautiful moment and a good memory.

The second person who came and sat with me was Jorge. Although I was fairly sure he was genuine, I still felt a bit nervous about trusting an unknown man. But I figured the odds of quickly getting to my hostel in the dark and without data were better with than without him. And that’s what happened—I got there safely at about 10pm.

My first yerba mate (pronounced sher-ba mar-tay)

Up next: a whirlwind trip to Mendoza, and wondering if I’ve missed my flight…!