Chile

CHILE

Change of plans and both Agustin and I both set out for Chile and Peru. We left early on Sunday morning from Salta and headed north. The buses in South America are amazing, the seats recline, there is a bathroom, and they serve food and drinks! We had no guide books and NO plans! The drive was very steep going through the Andies and I was surprised at how much desert and untouched land there is. Between getting our passports stamped out of Argentina and getting out passports stamped in Chile there was a 2.5 hour drive through a desert. There is NOTHING absolutely NOTHING but deserts and mountains in the North of Argentina and Chile. We decided to stay in the small border town of San Pedro de Atacama. The town has more dogs than people! The buildings are all made of adobe and the streets are made of stone and rocks.

Our bus

The exit point of the North of Argentina at Pasa de Jama

San Pedro de Atacama

The town center at San Pedro de Atacama

The views from San Pedro de Atacama

The volcano that is just outside of this small town

More views of the surroundings of San Pedro de Atacama

The church in the center of town

Agustin with a Chilean empanada!

The sun setting over San Pedro de Atacama

The sun setting over San Pedro de Atacama

The town at dusk

Prices in Chile:
Money: pesos Chilenos
$1.00= 520 Pesos
A giant empanada: 600-1200 Pesos ($1.15-$2.30)
Night in a hostel(in a very basic place): 10,000 Pesos ($19.23)
A tea in a nice restaurant: 1200 Pesos ($2.30)
A picture of beer: 4,500 Pesos ($8.60)
A 8 hour bus ride: 12,000 Pesos ($23.00)

We were really surprised at how expensive Chile was, so we decided to shortten our stay and get to Peru!