Dries had to work today because he didn't really have enough money to travel up north in Chile, he had to work because it meant he could sleep without having to pay for it, his shift was 14.00-18.00 so we packed before hand and planned to leave as close to six as possible in order to successfully hitch hike towards our midway destination of Los Vilos about 240 km north of Santiago along the coast. We didn't get out of the hostel till around 19.00 so weren't on the open road of the Pan American high way as early as we hoped. With hitch hiking, it is a big gamble when and where you will be picked up so can be waiting for ages, I have heard of people having to wait 6 days but that was in Siberia but I'm sure waiting a day or two for a lift is very common, luckily we both have tents so if we are stranded somewhere we have a tent for cover and enough food and water to keep us going for at least a couple of days.