4,230 - 4,515 km
Las Pelotas
Breakfast was mediocre in a place with no windows. As we were bringing all our stuff down to the reception, Caro was smart enough to ask about a road map and we were well rewarded! The plan was to get back out on the highway and continue north to Porto Alegre, a city with a "happy"(Alegre) reputation! Or so it was said...!
I parked the bike just outside the hotel where we packed among all the passing pedestrians glaring at us as if we were from another planet as they made their way to work. We also felt out of place, still trying to find peace and nature in Brasil, among the big cities and busy highways...
The heat slowly worked on us, draining our energy and spirit little by little. We may not have argued so much, but we were often on the edge. Fortunately we had the numerous hours on the bike to get some "space" for ourselves. We were almost desperately hoping for something to cheer us up, small towns, friendly people, and the countryside.
"Nothing bad yourself!!"
In the afternoon we stopped to refuel and rest a bit just before arriving to Porto Alegre. Fortunately with a bit of wifi we were able to study the road selection through google maps. We had decided to pass by Porto Alegre and continue to one of the following towns farther north.
That road eventually turned into "the Romantic Route" leading up into the mountains, passing through small towns with German architecture, stunning views of green mountains ... it sounded too good to be true. ... it was!
We left the gas station and approached the big city of Porto Alegre, but despite our efforts to study our route ahead, we made a wrong turn that kept us moving in a different direction with no exits to go back. We figured we'd cross our original path so we kept going.
Though later on, just as the sun had set making us increasingly more alarmed, we found ourselves in a suburb that did not look so inviting.
Moreover, we were caught in the peak hour with lots of traffic. As it grew a bit darker still, we stopped at a gas station and I asked for direction as they stared at us with surprised and a bit worried faces. We were turned around and eventually saw our exit. Finally!!
The next surprise: The smaller "country road" I had imagined leaving the big city behind was not small at all, but rather huge, ...eight lanes!! The "smaller town" I had imagined was in fact another huge city.
... Hotel! Now!
We grew desperate to get of the road. We were exhausted, the bike included, it was dark, and there was too much traffic, and the city was too big...
We passed a hotel on the highway, found a way to turn around, missed the exit, had to go back again, but eventually found our way there. It was another hotel above our budget, but there was no arguing, we were staying.
I was also a bit nervous about the bike. It had been a long day, very hot, and we had pushed it pretty desperately at the end of the day to manage the hectic traffic. Still, we were very happy to find ourselves in the safety within the walls of our room, drinking some "mate" just letting the day sink in.
We talked a bit about the next day; the hopes of the Romantic Route and hopefully leaving the huge cities and traffic behind. We wanted nature, peace and tranquility.
Breakfast was much better at this hotel!!
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