9# Andean Crossing
የታተመ: 15.04.2018
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Our last breakfast at 'Andes Nomads' Campground, in San Pedro (2500m)
After our car was well acclimatized, we made our way across the Andes and before we knew it, we were back in Argentina, the land of ..., let's just say: diverse roads. It is said that the Eskimos have 17 different words for 'white'. The Argentine sign world knows at least as many variations of road descriptions. It starts with 'Calzada deformada', which makes us rock through the landscape as softly as the name sounds. This goes up to level 17 called 'Fin de Pavimentado', which means the end of any efforts to maintain the condition of the road.
After almost 20,000 km in South America, we no longer need these clues. At 'Calzada deformada', a melody of squeaking and scraping of our big doors entertains us until we finally have to expect at level 17 that our kitchen block in the driver's cab pays us a visit.
The sequences of these road conditions are difficult to predict, but it is always advisable not to praise a good road condition. This is usually followed by a downgrade of at least 5 levels. But we always say to ourselves that we are not superstitious, as that would bring bad luck!
Doubt about this theory (superstition is nonsense!) arises no later than in the evening during a game of rummy, when you draw a card even though you could have played. I swear to you: Whenever you overlook something, you draw a double!
Back to the Andean crossing. The ascent to over 4,800m is successful if you allow the vehicle some peculiarities and take corresponding care. The landscape is breathtaking, Petra would like to take a photo break after every curve. Then, after 160km without any civilization and, as we later find out, at least as much after that, we come to the border crossing. It is quite busy there, about 100 people probably work there. Of course, the question arises about their daily commute. It can only be that they all live there during their shifts.
Unexpectedly, we found a salt lake by the roadside, after we could not visit the Salar de Uyuni. It is quite strange to stand on something at 35 degrees that the Central European would only consider to be snow.
We spent the last few days relaxing at Hasta la Pasta in Paraguay. Paraguay handles immigration very liberally, offers a very pleasant climate, and has attracted thousands of German-speaking immigrants over the centuries. Yesterday we were at the German market, which is just as strange in this environment as 'snow' without cold. There was pretzel pastry (finally!), Thuringian sausages (Chorizo Thuringo), Swiss cheese, and records with German hits from the 70s.
We are now, so to speak, in the final sprint, with less than two weeks until Montevideo, and we have to continue right away. The computer is indicating low energy, and I have to wrap up. You will hear from us!
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Stefan
...euch dann einen schönen Schlussspurt mit plötzlich wieder viel mehr Menschen um Euch herum!