Nov 15 -19, 2016: Chile 

Nov 15, 2016.  La Casa Roja, Santiago, Chile.

• Bus arrived in Mendoza at 8 AM: 17 hours.  One hour to grab a beef sandwich to go.  Bus is much nicer.

• Bus provided a snack: coffee bag and two cookies.

• Andes visible from Mendoza bus station; now heading right for them - a sign says border is about 100 miles away.  Beautiful warm day, a few clouds.  Window seat on right side of bus.  The Ruta 7 is supposed to be gorgeous.  Perfect last bus trip!

• Seat mate is young female lawyer leaving Venezuela and her family behind to start life in Santiago.  Lovely person - such a sad situation.  She worried that immigration wouldn't let her in, because so many Venezuelans are fleeing, but she got through without any problems.

• At the border, at 9700 feet, surrounded by peaks with a smattering of snow, is Portillo, where the US Olympics ski team trains.  Met one of their coaches on the bus who splits his time between here and Colorado.  Portillo is tiny, with one hotel and a very few lifts.  

• Longest border wait yet... My Venezuelan friend said it was because the officials were on a go-slow strike.

• Moving again, descending via an amazing number of switchbacks.

• At a brief stop, a guy came aboard selling delicious hot meats d veggie empanadas for $1.50.  No more Argentinian crummy snacks or high prices!

• Out of Andes, passing through gorgeous vineyards.  

• Arriving around 7 PM: 10 hours.  Walked to La Casa Roja (about 45 minutes), notable for the graffiti on just about every wall.  Was only able to book two nights in the hostel.  Right now watching Chile/Uruguay football match in hostel: tied 1-1 so far. Chile just scored - crowd at hostel went wild.  And another.  Chile wins 3-1!    Bed by 11 (top bunk).  No shower since Iguazu.  None tonight!  (Towel rental a ripoff.). Woo woo!