On the morning of the 26/06, we take the direction of Jama, the border post 160km away from Susques. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the previous day are quick to reappear, and the car stops definitely 30km away from the border. Just to make sure to be on time, I decide to hitch-hike, have my passport stamped and then come back.

Raul, a Paraguayn driver stops, I get on the truck and off he goes. When we arrive at the border I am told that 1) there is no post on the Chilean side and I have to go all the way to San Pedro de Atacama 160km away and 2)Raul's truck is the last one to be authorized to go through due to snow falls. I leave a message for my friends and go across the Andes aboard Raul's truck. On the other side, the customs official does not authorize me to go back because the road is now closed. I have to spend the night here. I don't really enjoy San Pedro which has the feelling of Disneyland; what we've lived so far with my car-mates is worth so much more.

The following day, I go back to the customs and meet Daniel and Victor, 2 Argentinian characters who chew coca, drink whisky and smoke cigars… all at once! After waiting for 7 hours, we are told that the road will allegedly remain closed for the rest of the day. I manage to convince my new acquaintances to make the most of it to go and visit the desert and the salar; another disappointment. The following day, we are authorized to cross the border. Daniel and Victor take me all the way back to Jujuy where I eventually meet again with my friends who tell what happened to them in the meantime…

The car only started again after several hours and after getting to Jama and waiting for my return, they eventually gave up and returned to Susques. The following day on their way to Jujuy, tha car stopped for good during the night just 40 km away from their destination. They called for assistance the followng day and had the car towed away.

We meet again in Jujuy where we have the distribudor changed and an electronic component welded.