As I have been taking a lot of buses, I am going to say a word or two about this experience. Which is all great. There are two staff people on the bus, the driver and another fellow who takes care of everything else. Checks the tickets, announces the stops, brings coffee and sandwiches on long routes, which are included in the price. Buses also have assigned seat numbers, something that was new to me and caused a little embarrassing faux-pas the first time I took the bus. I just chose a seat with a view... only to be moved a few moments later, when the seat "owner" came aboard. The buses are huge, comfortable, with reclining seats. There are some buses in Chile which are called "bed buses." They go overnight, and literally have seats that recline to a full-size bed. Some travellers who took them shared their experience of sleeping the whole night, with the driver`s assistant tucking them nicely with a blanket, and bringing breakfast in the morning.

The only thing is the music they play in buses, both in Chile and Argentina. Took me back to my high-school times, with Bonney-M, Abba, and other oldies from the 70-ies. I have to tell you that it is a bit of a surreal experience, driving through the vast and endless pampas to the tunes of the soundtrack from the movie Flashdance (I believe "Gloria" was the song).

Day before yesterday was the Winter Equinox... or was it the Summer one? Depending on the point of view. Either way, the day was long. Really long. After I finished a late dinner - both in Chile and Argentina, dinners don`t really start before 9 PM - I went for a nice long walk along the beach. It was just before midnight, and the day was still very bright. It started at about 4:30 in the morning...

I have been here a couple of days already, and will be spending Christmas here. And on that note, have yourselves a Wonderful, Happy, Joyous Holiday Season. And I shall do the same.