today was a long/tiring, but surprisingly easy drive across the pampa. the road was mostly good…and pretty flat/straight/deserted. at times i went 100 without even realizing it. the sentra also handled pretty well. here’s a brief update on the sentra:

the sentra still gets me where i need to go without any issues. that said, there are some problems with the car. first, the transmission still sometimes has trouble engaging (once engaged, it’s fine…but i sometimes need to rev the engine to pop it into gear). second, i still have not gotten the brake switch replaced since huaraz (i can brake fine, but i dont think the brake lights turn on….but there aren’t many cars in patagonia). third, the wheels are not aligned or balanced, so the car shakes at certain speeds….like around 70 and 85 mph. fourth, the windshield is pretty scraped up from the sandstorm in chile….i should probably fill in the holes with wax. i think that’s just about it….for now.

now, back to the drive today: the terrain changed from forests and snow-capped mountains to one reminiscent of the american south west. hopefully i’ll finally get to see a tumbleweed in real life. it’s also surprising how hot it is here — i almost felt the need to turn on the non-functioning air conditioning.

i’m spending the night in trelew, which feels like a city on the verge of going big. right now, it still feels relatively small and uninhabited, but it has wide streets, clean sidewalks, a dinosaur museum (according to the brochure, ‘one of the most important science museums in south america’) and lots of shopping and parks. it’s just missing the people. this area also has a strong welsh heritage (trelew is welsh for town of lewis)….and, yes, there are a lot of sheep here.