5-25-10 continued
I hung out for a bit. Then Andrea, Chelsey and I headed into the madness that was downtown. We got off at Nueve de Julio. We walked around. I bought an Argentine flag. We met up with friends and walked around. We sat in Starbucks and kind of relaxed from the insanity of the big day. We finally headed into Plaza de Mayo for the parade. After like 20 min, not much was happening so some people headed back, leaving Tracey and I there. We watched it for like 30 minutes or so. It was really disorganized in a very comical way. I got video. I will put all my videos up when I get back stateside since the internet is bad and I can also edit them. We then headed home.
I relaxed and edited photos till bed.
5-26-10
I woke up and edited more photos. I then ready for school and ate lunch with friends. I went to class. My economics class was alright. Next week is our last class class which is really weird to think about. So much left but so little time. In Spanish, we went over imperatives. It was good to review it since I haven't learned that in like 3 or 4 years. I headed. I chilled for a bit and edited photos. I got money from the bank. I ate dinner with friends. We caught up on things.
I started the process of uploading photos, we shall see how long it takes. I went to Starbucks for a hot drink with Chelsey since it is starting to get cold here. No me gusta. Then I hung out and talked to friends.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Having an elephant as a roommate.
5-24-10
I woke up after a hard night sleep, due to one of my roommates, whose spirit animal must be an elephant based on the way he snored. I showered and packed my bags. Then I stored them, while I headed out. I walked around Tucuman a bit. Near my hostel, was a former detention center from the "Dirty War." It was interesting to see from the outside. There was a memorial for those who were imprisoned it. I continued just exploring. I grabbed lunch.
Eventually, I headed back and grabbed my bags and headed to the bus station. There was some bird exhibition happening at the mall that was attached to the station. I watched some of the exhibition game between Argentina and Canada. I then boarded my bus. There, I finished the Isabel Allende book and read a whole Michael Crichton book that I liked. I slept most of the rest of the time and listened to music
5-25-10
After getting my stuff, I have come back to the residencia. I unpacked, and said hi to friends and separated my photos into their files. Today, I am not sure what I will be doing minus celebrating the big day with the rest of the city.
I woke up after a hard night sleep, due to one of my roommates, whose spirit animal must be an elephant based on the way he snored. I showered and packed my bags. Then I stored them, while I headed out. I walked around Tucuman a bit. Near my hostel, was a former detention center from the "Dirty War." It was interesting to see from the outside. There was a memorial for those who were imprisoned it. I continued just exploring. I grabbed lunch.
Eventually, I headed back and grabbed my bags and headed to the bus station. There was some bird exhibition happening at the mall that was attached to the station. I watched some of the exhibition game between Argentina and Canada. I then boarded my bus. There, I finished the Isabel Allende book and read a whole Michael Crichton book that I liked. I slept most of the rest of the time and listened to music
5-25-10
After getting my stuff, I have come back to the residencia. I unpacked, and said hi to friends and separated my photos into their files. Today, I am not sure what I will be doing minus celebrating the big day with the rest of the city.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Change of Plans isn´t always Bad
5-23-10
I woke up after a very cold night and had breakfast. I bet you can guess what I had. I then showered and got my bag packed. I took a cab to the bus terminal. I decided to try to go back to Buenos Aires in time for the bicentennial celebrations. I bought a ticket to Tucuman with the hope that I could move up my ticket that is suppose to leave Wednesday. After waiting for my bus, we departed. I read more of my Isabel Allende book and listened to music while on the road.
Like most things in Argentina, nothing is on time. Had my first bus been on time, there is a chance I could have made the bus back to Buenos Aires today, but nope. But the positive thing is that I won´t lose money on the ticket and can leave tomorrow getting me back Tuesday morning in time for whatever Argentina has in store for Tuesday night. I figured that I have seen a lot on this trip, and plan to come back to see more. But how more chances will have to experience something like this. No regrets.
I am now in a hostel for the night.
I woke up after a very cold night and had breakfast. I bet you can guess what I had. I then showered and got my bag packed. I took a cab to the bus terminal. I decided to try to go back to Buenos Aires in time for the bicentennial celebrations. I bought a ticket to Tucuman with the hope that I could move up my ticket that is suppose to leave Wednesday. After waiting for my bus, we departed. I read more of my Isabel Allende book and listened to music while on the road.
Like most things in Argentina, nothing is on time. Had my first bus been on time, there is a chance I could have made the bus back to Buenos Aires today, but nope. But the positive thing is that I won´t lose money on the ticket and can leave tomorrow getting me back Tuesday morning in time for whatever Argentina has in store for Tuesday night. I figured that I have seen a lot on this trip, and plan to come back to see more. But how more chances will have to experience something like this. No regrets.
I am now in a hostel for the night.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
On the Road
5-22-10
I woke up and grabbed breakfast. Again, it consisted of tea and toast. I then packed my bags up and headed out the door. Luckily, I headed out when I did, because my bus was pulling out when I showed up but I was able to get on. The ride to Humahuaca was a pretty one but I barely made it to my second bus. I actually didn´t but made one that left right after. This bus ride was somewhat stressful because it often was driving near the cliffs. But I survived. After 2.5 hours or so, I got to Iruya. It was a pretty hillside town. I took some pictures and ate llama milnesia for lunch. I then walked around and took some photos, including some of condors.
I then got back on the bus to head back. Besides the stress of driving along the edges, I gave myself a minor panic attack worrying that my bags, especially the one with my passport and wallet would fall off and be loss. When we reached a pit stop, I checked and it was fine. I moved that bag down with me. When we got off the dirt road and headed back to the paved road, we got a flat so it took like 10 minutes or so to fix.We eventually got back to Humahuaca. There I made my decision about where next to go. I chose Jujuy because it was close and easy to get to Cachi, my plan destination for tomorrow. I waited for a bit for my bus. Then I got on. I pretty much listened to music the whole way. I have arrived to Jujuy. We shall about me trying to get to Cachi.
I woke up and grabbed breakfast. Again, it consisted of tea and toast. I then packed my bags up and headed out the door. Luckily, I headed out when I did, because my bus was pulling out when I showed up but I was able to get on. The ride to Humahuaca was a pretty one but I barely made it to my second bus. I actually didn´t but made one that left right after. This bus ride was somewhat stressful because it often was driving near the cliffs. But I survived. After 2.5 hours or so, I got to Iruya. It was a pretty hillside town. I took some pictures and ate llama milnesia for lunch. I then walked around and took some photos, including some of condors.
I then got back on the bus to head back. Besides the stress of driving along the edges, I gave myself a minor panic attack worrying that my bags, especially the one with my passport and wallet would fall off and be loss. When we reached a pit stop, I checked and it was fine. I moved that bag down with me. When we got off the dirt road and headed back to the paved road, we got a flat so it took like 10 minutes or so to fix.We eventually got back to Humahuaca. There I made my decision about where next to go. I chose Jujuy because it was close and easy to get to Cachi, my plan destination for tomorrow. I waited for a bit for my bus. Then I got on. I pretty much listened to music the whole way. I have arrived to Jujuy. We shall about me trying to get to Cachi.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Hiking in the Desert/A Spot of Bad Luck
5-21-10
Since the post earlier today, I walked around and bought bus tickets for tomorrow. I then walked around and headed to a place called Pancara. This is an ancient ruins a little outside the city of Tilcara. It was pratically stone buildings and cacti all over the place but still beautiful. I took some self portaits, and then had a couple take a photo of me. I then headed down.
I then headed to Garganta del Diablo. It turned out to be a 5 or 6 km hike. I was not prepared for this. But somehow found the strength to push on, despite minimal food and water in my body. It was one of the hardest ones I have had to do because of the beating sun which I had also not expected. I finally reached the entrance. I filled up my water bottle. I checked it out. Then I headed back up to the entrance. I rested and tried to get the energy to walk back down. Luckily, I met saviors in the form of a Porteño couple who drove me down. They were really nice. We talked (in Spanish of course) about random stuff.
After, I headed toward my hostel when I stumbled upon a show by the school children for the 200th anniversery of the country. It was cute. I then hung out at the hostel. I discovered I had lost one of my debit cards. I searched all over my bags but no such luck. Somewhere between Wednesday and today, it has vanished into the abyss. Luckily I have the other. I hung out and talked to the other guests before having dinner with some of the people who run the hostel. Soon I plan to sleep, who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Since the post earlier today, I walked around and bought bus tickets for tomorrow. I then walked around and headed to a place called Pancara. This is an ancient ruins a little outside the city of Tilcara. It was pratically stone buildings and cacti all over the place but still beautiful. I took some self portaits, and then had a couple take a photo of me. I then headed down.
I then headed to Garganta del Diablo. It turned out to be a 5 or 6 km hike. I was not prepared for this. But somehow found the strength to push on, despite minimal food and water in my body. It was one of the hardest ones I have had to do because of the beating sun which I had also not expected. I finally reached the entrance. I filled up my water bottle. I checked it out. Then I headed back up to the entrance. I rested and tried to get the energy to walk back down. Luckily, I met saviors in the form of a Porteño couple who drove me down. They were really nice. We talked (in Spanish of course) about random stuff.
After, I headed toward my hostel when I stumbled upon a show by the school children for the 200th anniversery of the country. It was cute. I then hung out at the hostel. I discovered I had lost one of my debit cards. I searched all over my bags but no such luck. Somewhere between Wednesday and today, it has vanished into the abyss. Luckily I have the other. I hung out and talked to the other guests before having dinner with some of the people who run the hostel. Soon I plan to sleep, who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Salta at Night/12 Hours in the Desert/Pumamarca
5-19-10 continued.
Since my last post, I took a gondola up the mountain that looks over Salta. I was scared the whole way up but survived and it was beautiful. I took pictures from up there. Then walked the 1073 steps down and walked back to my hostel. I rested for a bit. Then I went around the main places in Salta and took night photos. I then back to my hostel for a bit. Then I headed to the other affiliated hostel for a free BBQ. There I met up with my friend Lisa from my program, and met a friend of hers from her stay in Salta. Turns out her friend is from LA and went to Marlborough and graduated with my friends from there. Small world yet again. I ate delicious food and had wonderful convos. Then I headed back to my hostel to go to bed for my early morning.
5-20-10
After a bad night of sleep, I finally got up at 6:25. I got my stuff together and headed to breakfast. I ate and waited to be picked up. Finally, the van came and I got in. I was with 2 Basques, 2 Australians, 5 Argentines and 1 Brit. We headed out. Our first stop was in a place called Campo Quijano. There we saw a train that used to be part of the train of the clouds. Then we headed out again. I fell asleep for a bit. I woke up when we heading out to see some of the bridges and tracks of the train of the clouds. We got a history lesson on it while we drove out. After some photos, we headed back onto the road. We stopped to take pictures of the beautiful rocks and then stopped in a small town called Santa Rosa de Tastil. There were people selling things. I wandered around and took photos. We then hit the road again, with a stop at a place called Abra Blanca which is 4080 meters above sea level.
We stopped for lunch in a town called San Antonio de Los Corbes. It was a cute little town. I ate llama and rice. It was really good and would eat it again. I took some photos around the town especially of a cute little kid. Then we headed back on the bus. It was like a two hour ride to the Salinas Grandes (salt flats) so I slept most of the way. We arrived. I saw two girls i knew from University of Belgrano so we hung out and took photos. I wandered around and took more. It was beautiful. Eventually, I got back in the van and we headed out. We were now heading to Purmamarca. We stopped at a point called Altos del Morado, which is 4170 meters above sea level. We stopped once more to take photos of the beautiful rocks.
We finally reached Purmamarca, where I grabbed my stuff and wandered the roads. I eventually found a hostel. I dropped my bags. I wandered the small town. They had a market in the center which I checked out. I then followed a road and ended up walking around Los Cerros de Siete Colores (the rocks of seven colors). It was so beautiful. I want to come back here one day. I ran into the Australians, Basques and two girls I saw at the Salt Flats. I took many photos.
I headed back to my hostel. There I showered for the first time since Tuesday. I then walked the town and got dinner. At my hostel, they had a show, which I took some photos and video. I then got ready for bed and slept for the greater part of 10 hours. It was amazing.
5-21-10
I woke up and grabbed breakfast (tea and toast). I then packed my bags and walked around until the bus came to Tilcara. After a 45 minute ride. I have now arrived in Tilcara. A plan is possibly formulating for the rest of the trip. But we shall see. I will be wandering the streets and the mountains of the beautiful area. It is amazing how pretty it is.
Since my last post, I took a gondola up the mountain that looks over Salta. I was scared the whole way up but survived and it was beautiful. I took pictures from up there. Then walked the 1073 steps down and walked back to my hostel. I rested for a bit. Then I went around the main places in Salta and took night photos. I then back to my hostel for a bit. Then I headed to the other affiliated hostel for a free BBQ. There I met up with my friend Lisa from my program, and met a friend of hers from her stay in Salta. Turns out her friend is from LA and went to Marlborough and graduated with my friends from there. Small world yet again. I ate delicious food and had wonderful convos. Then I headed back to my hostel to go to bed for my early morning.
5-20-10
After a bad night of sleep, I finally got up at 6:25. I got my stuff together and headed to breakfast. I ate and waited to be picked up. Finally, the van came and I got in. I was with 2 Basques, 2 Australians, 5 Argentines and 1 Brit. We headed out. Our first stop was in a place called Campo Quijano. There we saw a train that used to be part of the train of the clouds. Then we headed out again. I fell asleep for a bit. I woke up when we heading out to see some of the bridges and tracks of the train of the clouds. We got a history lesson on it while we drove out. After some photos, we headed back onto the road. We stopped to take pictures of the beautiful rocks and then stopped in a small town called Santa Rosa de Tastil. There were people selling things. I wandered around and took photos. We then hit the road again, with a stop at a place called Abra Blanca which is 4080 meters above sea level.
We stopped for lunch in a town called San Antonio de Los Corbes. It was a cute little town. I ate llama and rice. It was really good and would eat it again. I took some photos around the town especially of a cute little kid. Then we headed back on the bus. It was like a two hour ride to the Salinas Grandes (salt flats) so I slept most of the way. We arrived. I saw two girls i knew from University of Belgrano so we hung out and took photos. I wandered around and took more. It was beautiful. Eventually, I got back in the van and we headed out. We were now heading to Purmamarca. We stopped at a point called Altos del Morado, which is 4170 meters above sea level. We stopped once more to take photos of the beautiful rocks.
We finally reached Purmamarca, where I grabbed my stuff and wandered the roads. I eventually found a hostel. I dropped my bags. I wandered the small town. They had a market in the center which I checked out. I then followed a road and ended up walking around Los Cerros de Siete Colores (the rocks of seven colors). It was so beautiful. I want to come back here one day. I ran into the Australians, Basques and two girls I saw at the Salt Flats. I took many photos.
I headed back to my hostel. There I showered for the first time since Tuesday. I then walked the town and got dinner. At my hostel, they had a show, which I took some photos and video. I then got ready for bed and slept for the greater part of 10 hours. It was amazing.
5-21-10
I woke up and grabbed breakfast (tea and toast). I then packed my bags and walked around until the bus came to Tilcara. After a 45 minute ride. I have now arrived in Tilcara. A plan is possibly formulating for the rest of the trip. But we shall see. I will be wandering the streets and the mountains of the beautiful area. It is amazing how pretty it is.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
22 Hours, 4 movies, but happiness about being here
5-18-10
I woke up and quickly got ready. I headed out the door when I realized I forgot my ID. I then hurried to school. At school, I did some studying with friends. My professor was there but my History teacher played sub. We took the exam. I then headed home on the bus, where I saw soldiers doing drills. At home, I packed and grabbed lunch. I made sure everything was in order. I then headed out the door.
I got the bus station where I relaxed for a bit until I saw my bus was ready. I boarded it but few people joined. I figured more would come on the 20 hour ride. I napped for a little bit. Then I awoke in time to watch the Blind Side. The subtitles were major fails, they seemed to by ear instead of reading the script. For example, instead of Clemson, they put California. After the movie, I read until they put on the Proposal. This time the subtitles seemed to be more commentary with few scenes with subtitles in Spanish. We periodically would stop and pick people up. They put on the Boy with Striped Pajamas. Depressing movie. They need to realize what they are putting on there. Then I went to bed.
5-19-10
After a rough night of sleep, I woke up around 9:30. They put on Seven Pounds in Spanish. I read and finished my book so I have now moved onto an Isabel Allende book. After a few hours more, we finally got to Salta. I took a cab to my hostel and checked in. After, I grabbed two superpanchos (hot dogs) and ate them since I was super hungry. Then I walked around the main part of the city for a bit. I saw a travel place and booked the next leg of this trip. Tomorrow, I am going to the Salt Flats, some towns and going to end up in Pumamarca. After that, I only have possibilities. I have to be in Tucuman by next Wednesday. Between tomorrow and then, I have no idea where I will be until the day before. But that is part of this trip to go with it. I have possibilities but no definites. I will post when possible.
Con Amor y Paz,
Jack
I woke up and quickly got ready. I headed out the door when I realized I forgot my ID. I then hurried to school. At school, I did some studying with friends. My professor was there but my History teacher played sub. We took the exam. I then headed home on the bus, where I saw soldiers doing drills. At home, I packed and grabbed lunch. I made sure everything was in order. I then headed out the door.
I got the bus station where I relaxed for a bit until I saw my bus was ready. I boarded it but few people joined. I figured more would come on the 20 hour ride. I napped for a little bit. Then I awoke in time to watch the Blind Side. The subtitles were major fails, they seemed to by ear instead of reading the script. For example, instead of Clemson, they put California. After the movie, I read until they put on the Proposal. This time the subtitles seemed to be more commentary with few scenes with subtitles in Spanish. We periodically would stop and pick people up. They put on the Boy with Striped Pajamas. Depressing movie. They need to realize what they are putting on there. Then I went to bed.
5-19-10
After a rough night of sleep, I woke up around 9:30. They put on Seven Pounds in Spanish. I read and finished my book so I have now moved onto an Isabel Allende book. After a few hours more, we finally got to Salta. I took a cab to my hostel and checked in. After, I grabbed two superpanchos (hot dogs) and ate them since I was super hungry. Then I walked around the main part of the city for a bit. I saw a travel place and booked the next leg of this trip. Tomorrow, I am going to the Salt Flats, some towns and going to end up in Pumamarca. After that, I only have possibilities. I have to be in Tucuman by next Wednesday. Between tomorrow and then, I have no idea where I will be until the day before. But that is part of this trip to go with it. I have possibilities but no definites. I will post when possible.
Con Amor y Paz,
Jack
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