18. Crossing the Andes: Chile to Argentina

A quick 3-hour flight took me from Lima to Santiago, Chile, a country I had never visited before.

I spent three days at a hostel in the city center, bonding with the staff over Copa Libertadores matches. Santiago feels quiet and orderly compared to Buenos Aires; while the streets look similar, it feels like there is slightly less “on offer” here culturally. Still, I stuck to my routine of endless walking, exploring everything from busy avenues to quiet neighbourhoods for 4 to 6 hours at a time.

On day four, I took a bus to Valparaíso, a port city on the Pacific coast. I spent three nights wandering its famous hills and admiring the colourful houses. I also took a quick 15-minute bus ride to neighbouring Viña del Mar to catch a sunset on the beach.

From Valparaíso, I headed straight back to Santiago airport for the flight to Mendoza, Argentina. It was a steal at only $22 for a 50-minute flight, though the turbulence while crossing the Andes was… let’s call it “interesting.”

In Mendoza, I rented a nice apartment downtown and ventured into the mountains to see the breathtaking landscapes. You can check out the photos of this incredible place here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zP9Mpj8xWnfkVbr3A

I felt incredibly proud to have been born in such a beautiful country. Despite being Argentine, I had never visited Mendoza before. It completely surpassed my expectations: a clean, stunning city surrounded by some of the best scenery nature has to offer.

Now, after reviewing the latest Tangel Trio mixes, I have an early wake-up call for my next destination, where work and study await!