Buses can get a little tiresome. While in Northern Argentina, Brig and I decided that car travel was our ticket to freedom. Buying a car in Argentina couldn´t really be that complicated, right? After a few afternoon beers in the plaza, the idea became more than just a passing thought, we deemed it absolutely neccesary to own a car. We spent an hilarious afternoon being decieved by Argentinian used car salesmen. The idea fizzled almost as quickly as it had materialized. We would have to settle for a 3 day rental.
North of San Juan in the wine region of Mendoza was our road trip destination. The cheapest, most gas efficient car we could find was a little, 2 door Suzuki Fun. She will hereafter be referred to as lil´ fun. We stuffed our bags into lil` fun and waved goodbye to the jolly owner of Classic Car Rental as we stalled out at the first light. Driving in a city in Argentina can be terrifying and as Brig gripped the wheel and I gripped the map, we plotted the quickest way out of San Juan. Soon we were flying along the vineyard lined country roads, windows down, listening to Spanish renditions of bad American songs on the radio. There were 2 bars of gasoline in the tank (whatever that means) and we were free and happy. Turns out that 2 bars of gasoline means the tank is almost empty and lil' fun sputtered to a stop in the first town we came to. The fact that this town didn't have a gas station was only a small dilemna. We asked around at locals homes until we found someone willing to sell us 5 liters at a 250% markup. Well, lesson learned, right? The more bars, the better.
North of San Juan in the wine region of Mendoza was our road trip destination. The cheapest, most gas efficient car we could find was a little, 2 door Suzuki Fun. She will hereafter be referred to as lil´ fun. We stuffed our bags into lil` fun and waved goodbye to the jolly owner of Classic Car Rental as we stalled out at the first light. Driving in a city in Argentina can be terrifying and as Brig gripped the wheel and I gripped the map, we plotted the quickest way out of San Juan. Soon we were flying along the vineyard lined country roads, windows down, listening to Spanish renditions of bad American songs on the radio. There were 2 bars of gasoline in the tank (whatever that means) and we were free and happy. Turns out that 2 bars of gasoline means the tank is almost empty and lil' fun sputtered to a stop in the first town we came to. The fact that this town didn't have a gas station was only a small dilemna. We asked around at locals homes until we found someone willing to sell us 5 liters at a 250% markup. Well, lesson learned, right? The more bars, the better.
In the next three days, lil' fun took us down multiple gravel roads, past gorgeous painted hills, rolling rivers and windswept valleys and dropped us in lovely campsites each night. We visited the Valle de la Luna, a desolate Mars-like park loaded with red rock formations and dinosaur remains. We fought the 50 mph winds in the little town of Rodeo known for the best windsurfing in the world. We spent a starry night in Barreal under the enormous shadow of 22, 840 ft Mt. Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the world outside of Asia. Lil' fun worked hard for us but the roughness of the road finally took its toll and left her with a flat tire.
All in all, freedom was great and we shed a tear as we left lil' fun with her owner. I would like to think she shed a tear too.
2 comments:
There is nothing to compare to driving in a foreign country. What an adventure, you brave souls!
Nice one guys - sounds like a blast. Snowing back here in lil Bend. Enjoy the sun!!
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