Mood:
chillin'Topic: Latin America
The past 9 days had been a real adventure. Since leaving the hustle and bustle of the city last Monday, our daily schedule quickly fell into a routine. Each morning, we would explore the surroundings of the village. Mid day we stop for some empanadas (South American wheat dumplings). During the Siesta hours of 1-5pm, we would explore further towards the next destination village of region, then check into a new hostel or hospedaje (family runned accommodation), have a rest than dinner at 9pm followed by a walk around town experiencing the vibe of evening social life of the locals. Next day it´ll be a new place to explore, new towns and new people.
The north of Argentina is simply stunning. As far as tourism is concern, it has the best of both worlds – the remoteness and devastating beauty of the Andeans yet with the comfort and service standard of a first world nation. We toured mainly around the 3 states, Tucuman – for the Quilmes Ruins, Salta for the numerous vineyards and Jujuy for the geological splendour. In this trip, not only did I learnts much about Argentina, the North Indians (sub divided into several trips – the 2 main ones we encountered were the Calchaquis in Salta and Quechuan in Jujuy) actually regarded themselves as Andeans not Argentinians. In a way it feels as though we were visiting 2 countries. The Andeans are hard workers, proud people. Most of their heritage were destroyed by the Spanish and the people are resentful towards the destruction of their heritage, in a cruel twisted kind of irony the Andeans are very religious towards the Catholic faith and nearly idolise football as much – both European imports.
While relatively unknown to the Western World, the vineyards of Salta had long established tourism in the country, with heaps of farmstays, wine tours and scenic hikes for the Argentines. Jujuy, on the other hand, inherits the hippies and backpackers from Northen Chile and Bolivia, all cladded in their tie-dye uniforms and braided hair. We ate copious amount of meat accompanied by delicious wine. Food was great but the typical Argentian fare is relatively limited – 2 weeks was good. Anymore I will start craving for seafood noodles..!
We had an amazing time so fare, seeing and experiencing such a variety of landscape, hardworking salt-of-the-earth-type Indians. Today, we rest in a secluded farm of the south of Salta city. Sitting here, feeling the gentle breeze, birdsong, fragrance of magnolia, it is simple bliss. Back to the cities tomorrow.
