Salta

Salta was the much needed beer chaser to the tequila shot of Buenos Aires.

After the constant barrage of partying in BA, Salta was a welcome change of pace. Being in BA you often forget you’re in Latin America. Salta is very much more Argentinean. The scenery is mountainous and beautiful. The people have a more indigenous look. The streets are narrower and a bit more rough- around-the-edges. Old, comical cars straight from the 70’s drive without stopping and there’s a stray dog on every corner, foraging for anything edible. It’s small but full of character and it makes you feel more like a traveler. Like you’re somewhere very different. My lack of Spanish was even more obvious and not being able to interact properly made it feel like I was watching a slightly obscure, art-house film happen all around me.

I only spent a couple of days in Salta but it was plenty to get a feel for the place. Most people do excursions from there to the surrounding areas, which are apparently stunning. I was on my way up to Bolivia so unfortunately couldn’t indulge but I have it on good authority that Cafayate is not to be missed.

The highlights in Salta? I had some of the best steak I have ever eaten. Ever. It was a fair bit cheaper than BA and definitely superior.

In terms of sightseeing, there are a couple of impressive churches, a huge leafy park and an awesome plaza in the centre of the city. Salta is situated at the foot of a hill, which you can access via a little cable-car/funicular. It has amazing views of the surrounding area, which were particularly dramatic due to the mass of clouds, ever-present during the rainy season. I stayed in a nice hostel and met some awesome people who had useful tips and inspiring stories.

The next stop after Salta is Bolivia and the Salar de Unuyi. I get the feeling that the trend towards the rugged and unfamiliar will get a lot more dramatic. I can’t wait.


Check out the photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.494642336889.270491.514871889&l=4f883cf96e