4th-6th July

Salta is a go to town on the gringo trial. You can tell why, it is a huge city but as the feeling of a small one, there aren't many high rise buildings and each building is different from the next. Towards the 'manzana' the prices go soaring up but it is the prettiest square so far. The town feels more 'touristy' and they have a lot of artisan shops to mosey around. James booked another nice hostel and was good to relax after our journey slumming it on semi cama! We have a small gas heater in our room and when James was drying off from his shower (yes he was naked) he was being all cocky (no pun intended) and saying how warm he was la di da and then, all of a sudden he darted onto the bed and yelped. His bum had hit the top of the heater and burnt a lovely straight line across his buttocks-haha!

The city of Salta is surrounded by mountains, not like the ones we had in France it looks more like a brown hilly desert. They have a gondola ride to the closest mountain where you can see for miles, all across the city and beyond. We timed it so we were there for the sunset but got too cold so wimped out just before full sunset.

Salta has provided us with some great culinary treats. I had one of my favourite meals of the trip so far, empañadas from a local café. Speedy service was not one of its strong points, as the lady made them to order, but boy it was worth the wait. We went back for more two days later! James found us another great restaurant (he was on fire!) but this one was a bit more upmarket and served French style food with the menu changing daily. James had bife de chorizo and I had pumpkin soup both were amazing, I am trying to get James to go again tonight!

We went to the Historical Museum where they have on display a small 'mummified' boy from an Inca tribe. He is preserved so well you can see part of his face and his arm. The museum was really interesting and we learnt about the Inca history but the story about the small boy was quite disturbing. The Incas used to choose the best looking or most talented children from their tribe, meet at the top of a mountain with children from other tribes, marry them, give them alcohol until they fell asleep and then bury them alive with all sorts of gifts and jewels. The children weren't mummies as such but the climate and the soil preserved them almost perfectly. They believed this to be a gift to the Gods and did not see it as a sacrifice. They have 3 children but only display one at a time. They also had a welllllll freaky body that was called 'The Queen of the Mountain' which we don't know anything about as Museums here decide to only translate half of the exhibitions. All we know is that she was bloody scary!

We are leaving for Bolivia early in the morning and have heard that internet is not as reliable so contact may be limited. We have enjoyed another great city in an amazing country, but this is only part one of a two parter so… 'Don't cry for me Argentina' coz we'll be back!!