Argentina’s Ruta 40 gained it’s reputation as “the loneliest road in the world” for a reason. The barren, wind-swept Patagonian Steppe is the physical, natural embodiment of loneliness. The horizon stretches out of site, the land is brown and dusty with only flecks of green, the wind is beyond words. It shakes the car from side to side and ravishes your clothes and hair the moment you set foot outside. The landscape is largely devoid of life, except for guanacos (wild llama-like critters), choikes (something in the ostrich family) and, of course, sheep. When passing another car, it’s customary to flash your lights, a way of saying “oh hi, we’re driving the world’s loneliest road too.” Continue reading →