"The next morning I set off early to start my trip south. I had already bought a rail ticket the previous day frrorm an office in the centre, so it was just a case of taking the smart new underground about 6 stops out to the main railway station, in time to catch the 8:30am train. The clean, and very comfortable train left on time and was soon onto generally flat farmland with the impressive chain of snow capped peaks on the left.
 
I made my first stop at San Fernando, attracted mainly by the name of the place. It turned out to be a pleasant town, but had little of real interest for me so I decided to continue my journey on the next available train. On returning to the station, I was to discover that because it was Saturday there would be no more trains 'till Monday. In the words of the song, I had 'caught the last train to San Fernando'. Unlike most towns in Chile there did not seem to be any designated place for buses to stop, and I found myself being directed from one end of the town to the other, before finding a bus going south.
 
By evening I reached Los Angeles, as far as the bus was going. I found a small hotel near the bus station for £6. By this time it was nearly dark and I was glad to have a meal at a restaurant next to the hotel and then turn in. The next morning as my bus did not leave 'till 11:00am I had a chance to have a look round and make the painting above, of what seemed a very typical back street. As it was Sunday the town was quiet, and seemed a clean, pleasant place with a nicely laid out central square, and a good selection of shops.
 
The bus went to Villarrica, a small holiday resort on the shore of a large lake at the start of the Chilean Lake District. As it looked a beautiful place I decided to stop. Because it was out of season most places were closed up and I had quite a job finding somewhere to stay. Eventually I found a very nice place for £8 night B&B. Later, while walking down to the lake to paint, a dog came out of a house on the other side of the road and bit me in the back of the leg, much to the amusement of its owner. Although it was not a bad bite I was worried I might catch rabies, so I went to the local hospital. They took my concerns seriously and arranged for me to have an injection next morning. On getting my injection next morning, I was told by the very nice lady doctor, who spoke good English, that I would have to come back for the next 4 days. When I explained I was travelling on, she kindly wrote a letter for me, that I could take to any hospital on route in order to continue the treatment." - MH