Pedal To The Metal
We had planed on checking out some hot springs after yesterdays grueling hike, but due to unforeseen circumstances (a.k.a. BBQ meat, corn and beer (the beer was not barbecued)) we never made it. So instead of taking a nice long relaxing soak in a hot tub of water, we are going to take a nice long drive in a Nissan. Allllll the way back up highway 5. Past Santiago, to the city of ValparaÃso. That same drive (and then some) that we split into two days, we will now tackle in one day!
We were sent on our way with a farewell escort…
…and then herded along in the right direction by some wild sheep…
…who as it turns out were not quite sure of the right direction themselves.
So, we went the other direction, and left them to figure out how to get back into their field.
About 10 hours later, we had made it back to Santiago and were now headed west on the 68 freeway to ValparaÃso, only to be stung by a traffic jam. Moments after exiting the toll booth, we were stopped dead in our tracks by bumper to bumper traffic. And we were making such good timing too! Google Maps had clocked the entire trip at around 16 hours, and we were so close after having only been on the road for 10. So we sat, and we waited. Sat, and waited. Sat, and waiting. Sat, and waited for the clean up crew to remove a large vehicle that had crashed into the side of the wall in a tunnel through a mountian. Finally after we got out of now smog-filled tunnel, we made it to ValparaÃso in about 40 minutes with only a few drops of gas left in the tank and a few drops of room left in the bladder. After driving in circles for a good 20 minutes trying to find the hostel, we finally threw our map out the window and followed our instinct. Ahh good ol instinct comes through again. At least we now have a working toilet and a shower! Totally worth the drive.