One of the things I love about the Central Andes, is the complete lack of scale that you often "suffer" from, and how every now and then realize that your are "suffering" from. Maybe its from the lack of trees, human structure or the clarity of the air, but I find this lack of scale to be both disorientating and enjoyable.

Here is a good example (view at Original size if possible)-- this is one of the smaller mountains that you can see on a drive in the Cajon del Maipo outside of Santiago. Every now and then, a large mining truck will drive by this road and you'll realize that things are much farther away and larger than they seem.

The other more subtle way that you realize this (of course) is by walking or driving to one of the locations in view in the distance -- which you think should be able reach quickly... and after 20 minutes of moving you're shocked to find that the object seems just as far as when you started.

This image is part of my Chile 2007 Gallery, see more by clicking below: