Leaving Argentina

After our road trip around Salta, we ventured further north towards the Bolivian border. Some of this trip we made as part of a guided tour up through the Quebrada de Humahuaca - a UNESCO recognised valley with numerous interesting colourful rocky landscapes and little towns. The towns along this route were very nice but very touristy (everywhere is just covered with tourist markets selling all kinds of fabrics and crafts). We did visit some interesting (pre-Inca) ruins in a place called Tilcara. Archaeologists had partially reconstructed the site which was originally built over 500 years ago before the Spanish Invasion – it was like a mini Machu Picchu. Amazing how the thick walls of the structure kept the inside cool even though the outside was roasting! As we travelled further north (climbing higher as we did) we noticed the climate become a lot hotter, yet we continue to be surprised by the thick heavy clothing the locals wear (it much be at least 30 degrees and they are all wearing heavy sweaters, jeans and jackets). The air also became much thinner with the higher altitude making it a strain to breath (and Bolivia will be higher!)

After our tour, we continued north by public bus from the town of Humahuaca to La Quiaca on the Bolivian border. We must have paid the tourist surcharge because as we boarded, the bus attendant removed one local girl and her bag from a seat and allocated those seats to us. Other locals on the bus sat wherever they could (such as on the floor or the stairs). Still, we didn’t have the energy to feel guilty because the bus was really hot (and smelly). The air conditioning didn’t seem to work at all and the hot sun and thin air really drained us. Of course the locals were wearing multiple layers! The journey itself wasn’t spectacular but the landscape outside was interesting – we were travelling at an altitude of about 3400m yet the land around us was flat for miles and miles.

We are in La Quiaca now – still Argentina – but tomorrow we will head across the border to Bolivia. We are not expecting such regular Internet access in Bolivia but hopefully you will hear from us soon!