sorry i haven’t updated the sentradiaries for a while. hopefully i can add more text and photos tomorrow. here are some highlights over the last few days:

1) in loja, i got my tire fixed. how? well…for $14 ($6 labor, $8 parts), they patched the sidewall with rubber from an old tire….then stuck an inner tube inside. knda sketchy, but surprisingly common here. one guy there also offered me 4k for the sentra….probably should have taken it.

2) the ecuador/peru border in macara is the best so far. really calm, really easy, and really cheap (the first completely free border crossing).

3) today, i made the 15hr drive from chiclayo to huaraz in 10hrs. unfortunately, i also did some damage to the sentra. halfway through the dirt road, i smelled fuel….then my brakes didnt work too well (it’s kinda scary pumping your breaks on a dirt road on the side of a cliff)….then my speedometer/odometer stopped working…..then my wheels (cv joint) started making noise. overall…not a great day for driving. but, i went to a mechanic….and hopefully will get everything fixed (plus get my oil changed) for $50 or so.

4) hanging out in huaraz with francois and tessa.