So after a confusing way out of Santiago but then again finding my way in from the airport where I attracted a lot of attention at customs and unpacking my bike, they wanted me to pay for bringing it into the country.... Eum No way! And they didn't bother to fight with me they just let me go on through, good. It was cool outside but I worked my way past the endless number of people that wanted to drive me somewhere, and three girls who asked if I lived in chile, I said no and they smiled good bye! Funny how people are.
After getting the dynamo fitted, I wasted no time and headed off, may of been a mistake as it was two pm when I headed out and the sun goes down at quarter to six, it is winter afterall I made my way out of the city, shame as I was enjoying it, only to scramble for a place to pitch my tent and it was a bit late the light was fading and I was panicking to set it up I failed to figure it out in the dim light and thus made a make do shelter as best as I could and boy did it get cold that night I woke up and was okay warm enough in my sleeping bag which is very nice but when the morning light came around at about half six I saw the damge the entire bag was covered in frost! No wonder I found it chilly!
I sleeped well enough considering my fears of wild dogs which are everywhere! Dam them! Running in pack and attacking at every opportunity very scarry and annoying.
I took the opportunity that following morning to figure out the tent which I did, its actually well thought out and takes five minutes to setup. Good, it's got a nice eating and gear area nice for when it wil and the sleeping part is not too crapped and options for ventilations packing it up is oh so simple. Overal I'm pleased with the tent sleeping mat made in Ireland and sleeping bag.
I find the whisper light international which I choose because it can run off of all sorts of different fuels from gasoline to white gas. To be a bit finicky, I'll get the hang of it, but o ce gooing it boils water quickly.
So the roads well as mentioned there is mad traffic the buses and rocket ships guided by blind men or am less systems that just aim for objects rather then find a way around.
The second day on the road was a fine mostly lone Somme mountain roads with breath taking views.
Found my way to a tucked away spot and setup camp with plenty of daylight! As to avoid a repeat of the first night the tent was setup perfectly this was going to be something else and it was a perfectly comfiest night after a struggle with dinner the stove wouldn't light, but in the end it worked thank god. I need all the calories I can get.
Right breakfast and pack up and off to another spot well not so great all the roads were highways and that is no fun if not dangerous and illegal!
A few horns hear and there but it worked out nonetheless.
The dogs are not helping and my navigation system was not working well,so I decided to call it a day regroup at a hotel, hotel Boston and look at alternative guidance systems other then my trusty Garmin for which I have only basic maps and very limited batteries, so I'll use my iPhone which I can keep juiced up. Maps downloaded I feel more confident and after a good dinner soup, pasta and salad I'll sleep tight and even get a laundry service as well as a warm shower even though I had bathed in the river today.
