We had no clue!

when we left for our Argentinean adventure we had very little expectations on what it would look like.  Jim expected pampas type environment.  I was expecting farmland.  We have seen sugarcane and sorghum growing near Jujuy.  We saw sunflower fields and a few crops during the first hour or so of our drive today but after....  it was so reminiscent of the American Southwest.  We were riding through Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands and Moab in Utah.  Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas was way more than we expected.  (8 th wonder of Mother Nature- as someone online called it.)  Our photos do not do it justice.  It was a mostly cloudy and gloomy day and we will revisit this area in a few days.  Hopefully we will have sunny skies and get more pictures.

This 

is a sharp curve sign and there were at least a hundred of them!  Any one knows me will know I was very happy to be driving.  

Behind us 

is a spectacular canyon that curves inside the mountains.  There is a huge sign that says some like- danger, do not pass or go any further. I guess in all nations there are people who believe the rules do not apply to them or their small child.  Yikes!  Great way to teach your kid respect for naturedumb a**.  

Hopefully tomorrow Jim will send me the link to a video he took of a cow in the road.  He 

had just been complaining that we hadn’t seen any animals and ... ta da. There was a beast in front of the car.  We also saw some goats.  

Generally we haven’t seen many wild animals.  My sister would not be happy with the many, many stray dogs that roam, lie, sit, scratch, and lick themselves in every town and on every road.  Sometimes they have to lift their head so you can walk or drive by.  They all seems very docile and harmless.  

That’s all for tonight.  Thanks for stopping by and thank you all for the many emails telling me you are following along.  It’s very encouraging.

💜Barb 

Monday Monday -- how good to me....

Hi y'all,

Writing from Jim's computer and hopefully this will be less frustrating for me -- more for him but less for me!

We  began the day with a touch of frustration that turned into a fabulous day.  We learned from the reception desk that all museums in Salta were closed on Monday.  Jim had his heart set on them and he was very disappointed.  We spent much time trying to decide where to spend our day.  Off to the National Park we went -- until Waze told us it was 5 hours away.  Oh no!  Off to the center of Salta we went anyway and Lordy, Lordy, Lordy!  Driving through the city center was a exercise in patience, aggression, and prayer.  There are just as many motorcycles, motorbikes, and bicycles as cars with everyone jockeying for positions.  An intersection with no signal or stop sign has its own rules but who knows what they are.  At first I thought 'right of way' like Brussels but we decided that each corner had it own rules.  I think Murray was happy I was driving.  

We entered the parking garage around noon.  I told the attendant - in English he didn't understand - that we would be an hour or two, max.  Six hours later we picked up the car.  Jim and I were hoping the garage was still open and they weren't at siesta!

Our first stop was Cathedral Basilica de Salta built in 1862 after an earthquake. We were basically kicked out because it was closing time (12:30). Here are a few magnificent photos:

 The first two pictures are top and bottom of the same altar piece.

We walked around the town a bit and found a convent that was the oldest building in Salta.  It was also closed until 4 PM.  

We kept walking through narrow streets and go to a boulevard.  What is that up on the mountainside?  AH!  A GONDOLA! We know gondolas (and missing the 12-18" of snow the next few days in Winter Park) and so off we went to find where it started.  I was channeling my mother by asking for the senior discount but saved us a dollar or two!  It was a day to talk to people. A lady from Buenos Aires asked if she could ride up with us -- certainly.  She chatted on and on and on, even after i told her 'no habla Espanol'.  Jim and I laughing on the inside, almost outside.  

 My Pocahontas Man!

 Beautiful man made waterfalls at the top of the gondola ride.

After the lovely ride down we walked through a marketplace hoping to find some afternoon empanadas to tide us over until 8:30 dinner.  None to be found so we walked back to the town square and found a little outdoor cafe to enjoy some local fare. 

 We had finished our snack and beer when a gentleman (around our age) began to chat with us.  After an hour or so of discussion, we have Jorge's number just in case we ever return to Buenos Aires.  Give him and call and he will make us some meat to thank us for the coffee  we bought him.  You gotta love people who live on this earth!

Until next time, 

Barbara

Salta Sunday

Back so quick?
I was trying to include everything into one log post but my frustration with writing on the iPad got the better of me.  BTW-  mostly we’ve discovered that comments will be allowed if  you use a computer but NOT if you use a phone or tablet.
We had our Argentinean barbecue tonight.  First was entertainment provided by dancers Argentinean Gaucho style.  Neither of us had our phones but suffice it to say- we are now pros.
Speaking of Gauchos, we saw this on the road today.  There was over a dozen of them riding by but we so shocked to see them the camera took bit to come out.

I guess we’re obsessed and with mausoleums.  This was at the base of the 7 colors.   It  also had a few in ground graves.  

The view from the veranda of the Andes-

And a pesky bird- does anyone know  what it is?

Good night and sleep well.

💜

Salta Catch Up

Whew, we couldn’t access the internet from our room so we came back from our day’s adventure and need to catch up on our Argentinean vacation out on the veranda.    Our flight left BuenosAires with no hitches and we were the only lucky ones aboard with no one beside us.  Yay for the extra room!
Arrival in Salta was also smooth and the Hertz rental agent was adorable.  He actually took us to the car, explained some local o'rules', showed us the spare tire (hopefully we don’t need it) and put our luggage in the car.  How’s that for service? It’s a cute little Chevy and he made me take pictures of all the nicks and damage so we wouldn’t have an issue. I will not bore you with those photos.

The House of Jasmines is 7 KM from the Aeroporto.  A very nice place that has casitas and the staff has been wonderful.  We’ll be here for 3 nights. We enjoyed some local fare and some wines.  

We left today on our first Argentinean North excursion- in a manual transmission rental car.  We loved it.  The Mountains of Seven Colors was our goal.  On our way we passed through Jujuy (pronounced who-who-wee). From the highway the town didn’t 
look like much even though we were told of a great outdoor 

market. Entering the area of the 7 Colors was similar to entering Capitol Reef or Bryce Canyon NP's, lots of uphill and switchbacks. 

There was a festive town with people selling wares, mostly woven 
goods, fur, sweaters, moccasins, and toys.  

We also were sold a parking spot and a chance to use the banyo.
I’m sure that is the same market that repeats itself across the area 
on every Sunday.  We shared a delicious charcoal fired empanada with cheese and tomato.  Everyone has to make a living!

After walking about a half

 mile we noticed that the path could fit a car so we walked back through the town and drove around the 3KM loop road. 

It was spectacular and hairy at a couple places but onward we went.   It was wonderful to see those colored mountains again- like Utah.

To be continued:💜💜💜

Tango 2

I may never get to The tango part of this blog if my iPad keep misbehaving!  

Next up is our visit to the Cathedral Metropolitana.  This is the home church of Pope Francis and it was spectacular!  Very beautiful and of course, sparkly.  Our pictures do not do it justice but here they are.  

Jim with the pope.

The tomb of 

San Martin- the liberator of Argentina, Chile  and Peru.  Obviously a VERY big deal in these parts,  I loved the statue and her obvious stance of protection of the tomb.  

A few pictures inside

The 

circle at the top of this ceiling was either a moon or the face of God.  You decide but it was beautiful 

This was the tile floor..  

Jim with Saint Paul.  

ABC- another beautiful   

Church.- although this was just a side chapel.  

Now on to Tango!  We searched and searched for the tango museum.  There was a sign on the door to enter through a specific cafe and the line to enter went around the block.  Guess what?  We never went.  So much for tango on our trip to a Buenos Aires.  

One last picture from yesterday.  We went to a lovely fish restaurant and they served a simple grilled fish along with 3 sauces and three paprika’s.  Of course I had to take a picture to find them in a grocery before we leave town. 

As always, thanks for tuning in, until next time from Salta.

💜Barbara 

Tango....

Last day in Buenos Aires until May 6– and the weather cooperated, sort of.  As I write this we are glad to be back in our room .  It’s pouring rain, foggy, and windy.  Our day of touring ended earlier than desired but we did see quite a bit.  Before moving on to today, let’s look at some flora.  These are pine cone type things we found on the ground.  So unusual!  

I also wanted to take a picture of Jim leaning against a sycamore  tree — we remember so many of these trees lining our neighborhood in Philly.

We left the hotel this morning after our breakfast, in this phot Jim took, he is making fun of me for having caviar for breakfast.  It’s just too yummy!

Off we went on a 12,102 step, 5.74 miles jaunt to the city center where the office of the president is.  Yesterday when on the bus tour there were reporters and cameras and heightened police presence.  Today looked normal,  

Jim didn’t like

 the pink color of the building and I severe disagreed.  The Argentinean's seem to love Carrera marble that I felt a-break from  that was welcome.  

I will end this post here and continue next ASAP.  My iPad is making me crazy.  Stay tuned.  

💜