More bus time

So much to do, so little time and no real clue. Having admired Iguazu we pondered what next do and came to a group decison to head to NW Argentina and slowly up to Bolivia. We broke our journey into two trip and spent another night on the road to Resistencia. This time there was no VIP bed luxury just a freezing, uncomfortable 14 hour bus journey. At 5 in the morning we were dropped by a random petrol station still half asleep and not even knowing if we were in the right place. With no buses for a day we were to stay in Resistencia. Since it was as hot as the sun in the city and there were no swimming pools we decided to head to Isla del Cerrito which we had been promised had beaches alongside the river.

Isla del Cerrito turned out to be a small island with a subtropcial climate running along the Rio Parana. The island which was an old leper colony and now has a small hotel, some holiday apartments and housing for local people. Apart from the leprosy it is famous for its annual Dorado Fishing Championship. Stepping out from the taxi the island appeared to be a tranquil paradise. The river, chirping birds, the odd fish jumping out of the water. Unknown to us, although it now seems obvious, so much water brings mosquitos. We were eaten alive in seconds and with the beaches washed away by the high tide we had nowhere to go. Desperate measures were needed and we blagged our way into the only hotel, which to our luck had a swimming pool. We spent ther remaining hours drinking beer, pretending to be guests and taking the odd dip in the pool. We were driven home in a mini bus by a slightly mad driver. Upon overtaking, which he seemed to think was a good idea with so much dust that he we could not see more than two metres and on a blind corner he would kiss the cross on his necklace and touch the sticker of Jesus on the car window. It was all a little surreal which helped to deal with his dangerous driving.

The rest of the time spent in Resistencia was nice. Nothing much to the city but I enjoyed seeing people go about there daily lives. Young couples kissing in the park at night, a parade of cowboys through the town square and stalls cleaning push bikes.

Another overnight bus journey and we arrived in Tucuman. Again, not wishing to hang aroung we caught a bus to Tafi Del Valle. The journey was beautfil, weaving through steep lush green valleys, waterfalls aplenty and slowly climbing to 3500m. We shared the journey with a nice group of young guys who were on their way to play footbal in Tafi. I have no idea how they manage at this altitude as I found it difficult even to walk at a good pace. We spent a day in Tafi walking the hills and admiring the beautiful countryside. With hills up to 4500m we at last felt as if we were on our way to the mountains. During our time here the first signs that three was a crowd appeared. I begun to feal uncomfrotable travelling with Luis which would eventually lead to us parting ways.

With Luis and Angel eager to move on we caught a bus to Cafayate and then to Salta. I would have been keen to stay more time in Tafi but I also believe in a democracy and I was outvoted. Even though we spent more time in a bus the scenery was fantastic. We left Tafi and travelled through the high antiplano eventually dropping down into dry, barn valleys. We picked up workers and schoolchildren on the way and it became very much more noticable the appearance of people with indigenous roots. The schools that we passed were so isolated they had solar electric panels- a thought for future work maybe.

Our trip continued to Salta through amazing Quebrada scenery. As I´m feeling a little lazy I´ll let the photos do the talking. We arrived in Salta where we would be for five days and we would go on the Tren de los Nubes (Train into the Clouds).

When I get a little more time I´ll write it all up. Thanks to everybody who has written. Lots of love

Alexis