Enjoying the Culture 183As you travel throughout the country, keep a look out for interesting and
unique crafts, like these mobiles made out of totora (reeds)
The Argentine city of Mendoza lies on the other side of the Andes
mountain range. It is a short flight or a five-hour drive from Santiago.
If you opt to drive you will experience the quick and intense ascent
on the Chilean side and the long slow descent on the bare Argentine
side. Crossing the mountains in winter is tricky as many times the
border is closed indefinitely due to high snow. Mendoza itself is a
very nice town to visit, with lots of shopping, Argentinean wine and
restaurants to enjoy.The North
If you have more time and want to see something different,
travel north. This area provides some of the most unique and
striking landscapes in Chile. High up in the altiplano in the far
north is Lake Chungará. The waters are a beautiful emerald
green and the lake is surrounded by volcanoes. You may
want to plan your trip to coincide with the La Tirana festival
where you can observe the best of Aymara culture. Visit the
ghost towns of Isluga, Parinacota and Cosapilla that dot the