On the way to Mendoza… The car works perfectly and I can familiarize myself with it. Everything goes well until the 100th km wher I can feel a ligth power loss. Not knowing where the problem comes from and thinking it will be cheaper to have it checked on the Argentinean side, I prefer trying to climb the Andes.

The car struggles to reach the top (all in first gear and many trucks overtake me). My fear grows as we climb and we finally reach the border control; will I be able to go through with no problem (ie no bribery)? 20 minutes later, to my surprise, I'm on the othe side. The first border crossing has been smooth and I'm exhilating. At around midnight I find out that the fuel gauge has dropped more  quickly than I had planned… 1hour later, I run out fuel just in front of a service station… that doesn't take credit cards. Luckily the one opposite does but the card reader is "temporarily unavailable" (I'm told at the till it has already lasted several months). I buy 4 litres with american dollars; that should be enough to reach Mendoza. Top speed: 70km/h. The power loss is really worrying me when I finally get to my destination.

Note to the reader: everything that I write is true and I try to relate as exactly as possible. The described events, be they incredible, really occurred and are in no way the result of my imagination…

At 2.10am, the engine stops at a traffic light. Impossible to start it again. I begin pushing the car on the side of the road when a vehicle passes by and stops 100m further away. When I come closer, I realize it's a garage; they offer me to leave the car inside during the night and accompany me to the nearest hotel.

The following morning I come to take some news. I meet customers and they tell me this is the best mechanics in Mendoza. There is some hope shining in my eyes. I get to know better Pepe and Gonzalo who invites me to a barbecue with some friends the following day.

They make me feel at home and we chat about renewable energies until 5 in the morning.

3 days later, after visiting local wineries, the news are good: the car is ready and we start the engine that struggles for 15 seconds before playing its usual lovely tune. I'm happy and everybody seems satisfied to have contributed to the H2 Projet in their own way. I pay the invoice and quickly realize it is a disguised form of sponsorship.

I thank again the team at PP Fram (Pepe, Gonzalo, Sandra, Ala, Arturo, Tom and Margarita!) for their warm welcome and unconditionnal support.

I now have to leave them to go back to Buenos Aires but one thing is sure, I will come back to greet them.