Salta.... I arrive in Salta after picking up an Emergency Passport in Buenos Aires. Picking up the passport was not that simple either, as the day I arrived to make the application, I find that they were closed for that day! But I manage to get seen and the following day pick it up and continue on my route through north Argentina.

I arrive in Salta and notice a big procession of military type vehicles and police on the road where my hostel is located. I spot a pick up truck at the front with a couple of people dressed as Gauchos. Something´s going on..... so when I check in at the hostel, I find out its Salta´s birthday and the procession is about to start! There is also a party in the evening, live music and entertainment at one of the plazas! What timing I`m thinking!

I take a peek at the procession and head to the Plaza that evening. The music was similar to what I had heard back in El Chalten. Folk type, traditional music... very lively and very beautiful. An array of instruments and plenty of energy. South America holds its traditional music very close to its heart and is very popular. I have been asked about the music of Wales, but unfortunately, you don´t get to hear traditional music in Wales unless you went to an event. In south america, tunes can be heard on the street, on the bus etc....

I again head to the hills of Salta, well a hill... by cable car, and take a view of the city and surrounding landscape at a height. Salta city is fairly flat, but is in a valley amongst hills. I spot pony and trap on the road as well as cars and trucks, as well as plenty of dogs. I am not sure when I last mentioned dogs... but they are everywhere... stray dogs! They are in every village, town and city of south america! They look very healthy too... but can be a bit unnerving when you cross their path... or they decide to follow! They were also at the top of this hill!

After visiting the hilltop, I also wander around the colonial city of Salta and see beautiful architecture. I also find out a fact about Salta... something I did not appreciate, but recalled hearing about it many years ago. Salta is now famous for its ´mummy museum´or as its called MAM. It homes 3 ´mummies´found in March 1999 on top of a mountain near the border to Peru.

The 3 mummies are perfectly preserved children. Whilst you may think of mummies wrapped in white cloth, these are not! They were buried alive more than 500 years ago, and the children are 2 girls and a 6yr old boy. They are, as they were buried and I must say I wasnt sure whether I wanted to see them.

I was told the museum was very fascinating, where it told the story of the discovery and also explains the reasons for these burials. I had been told by others staying at the hostel that they had been, they found it fascinating, though a little disturbing. They had seen a 15yr old girl when they visited and mentioned only one child is exhibited at a time. They encouraged me to go.... so I did.

The first part of the museum tells you of the story of the mountain expedition to locate what may be a burial site. Photos and video clips are shown.... and in particular, I recall from the video the moment they discovered the first child and one explorer, in a hole, hands over to those on the mountain side a large bundle... which is a child. It was unbelievable to watch.

I continue on the tour around the museum. Artefacts were also found next to the children, as the children were offered as gifts to the mountain along with other presents, such as carved little llamas, sandals, items of feather as well as silver etc... These are displayed and the purpose of each gift and its location is explained. As I slowly make my way through the museum I am close to the end. At this point I enter another room, where the temperature is a little colder, the light dimmer and a sign does advise that we do not have to proceed unless we want to.

Here, 3 large boards are on display, on each board is a picture of each of the children, with literature explaining what they wore, who they are. One of the girls was hit by lightning at some point in the 500 years she was buried at the mountain, thus part of her face is burnt. To be honest, the face does not look that clear in the photo, neither does the disfigurement.

I move along and just in front there is a glass cabinet. Light is dim, but we can illuminate it. Here in front of me is the little 6year old boy.

He is sat, with his knees near his chest, in a crouching position. He has some white cloth wrapped around his head and I also notice some around his legs. I wonder whether he was strapped, so that he did not move. You can barely see his face, as his head is down, but his hands and feet are clear, so is the back of his head and his short dark hair. His skin looks likes leather. I notice he has lost one of his fingers, probably in the excavation or in more recent years during research. It was amazing to see... I was fascinated and couldn´t help wonder... how... why.... what....

After minutes of looking... staring.... I move on and out of the room. It is the end of the museum, but at the final area, I get to see, through a window, the laboratory (well, it looked like a lab). It is a room that has been specially designed to work with the the mummies, where they are able to monitor the mummies, to ensure that they do not deteriorate etc... I can also see 3 large containers.... where I guess the bodies are stored when not on display.

It was absolutely fascinating. I can´t believe what I have seen, but I am glad I did take the trip to discover!