Some more general observations

1.  Soccer pitches are tucked in everywhere. We have seen very few nice grass fields. So many are on hard or stoned surfaces like parking lots, end of dirt roads, on basketball courts, in alleys, vacant lots, etc. No wonder players are so good from South America. You see the kids with a ball at their feet walking down the street.
2.  As we head north in Chile, we are entering the Ring of Fire. This area has the most earthquakes in the world. The construction is super supported. Lots of extra cross beams everywhere.
3.  There are fields and fields and more fields of blueberries, raspberries and other fruit.
4.  We are wedged in between the Pacific and the Andes mountains. In some spots you  can actually see both.
5.  Either we are following the Golden Circus tour or they are following us.  We have seen them in all 3 countries so far. Maybe we should go to a show.
6.  Road construction workers are just like in th USA - a bunch standing around watching a couple guys work.
7.  Chile looks more modern, hardly any dirt roads. But then, I guess, it was really only the Patagonia area that had very few paved roads.
8.  There must literally be 100s of bus companies. They all work the same. First you buy your ticket at the small, individual counter. Then you wait in the large boarding area because the bus pulls in at a random station. No announcement. You really have to pay attention. And... just because we bought a ticket on the JAC line does not mean you will be on that bus. If they don't sell enough tickets they buy seats on another line. The best way to find your bus is by the departure time. They are very punctual. However, the bigger terminals will have several buses leaving at the same time. Once you find your bus, take your bag to the luggage area, show your ticket and you get a stub. They load your bag and you get on. Once you are on the way, the 2nd driver comes around to collect your ticket and writes down your passport info. Not sure what info they take from locals. It is all very efficient and quick. The drivers are so friendly and polite. They help all women down the stairs and say goodbye to each person getting off.
9.  This area looks just like the finger lake area at home, lush and green. Lots of lakes. We see lots of trucks hauling logs to sawmills.
10.  There are cattle and sheep ranches here and lots of them.
11.  It is strange to buy a coke and have it cost 1000 pesos. We walk around with 50, 000 pesos in our pockets ($100).
12.  Everyone hangs out their laundry. The only dryers are at the commercial lavenderios.
13.  Every once in a while we see palm trees again. They will get more frequent the further north we go.  There is one tree that looks like it is made from pipe cleaners, a lot like the Charlie Brown tree. It is an araurica tree. The branches are cactusy looking and there are very defined layers of branches. I am trying to get a good picture.
14. It is so obvious that 2 months is not enough time here. We are just scratching the surface. So many national parks and different culturial things. The biggest problem is that everything is so far apart. These countries are enormous.