Big disappointment today, it became clear that the Chile/Atacama desert portion of our trip would have to be cancelled. We were supposed to be driving from Purmamarca in Argentina, to San Pedro De Atacama in Chile, via the Jama Pass, in the Andes. Unfortunately, the pass is closed due to heavy snowfall, so it's back to Salta for a couple of nights instead.
We've had a great time driving 'round Northern Argentina, the people are much friendlier out here, than they were in the capital. Our driver/guide, Yaco, a bona-fide, genuine, coca-leaf munching descendent of the Incas, has whizzed us around all sorts of beautiful, desolate places in his Toyata 4x4, and I've hardly felt car-sick at all, well done wrist-bands! The little towns we've stayed in; Cafayate, Cachi, and Purmamarca, have been lovely, and the scenery has been out of this world.
Our accommodation has been varied here, from the cute little 'hobbit house' built into the coloured mountain in Purmamarca, to the posh hotel and winery in Cafayate, where it wasn't quite as smart as it thought it was! Our favourite was the hotel in Cachi, La Merced De Alto; simple rooms, comfortable public areas, great food, and incredible views. Just perfect.
We saw a llama today, too, and I had my picture taken with it. I was considerably more excited than the llama, who didn't really want to lift his head out of it's nose-bag. How rude!
We then chatted to an Argentinian family at great length, which was interesting, as they didn't speak English, and our Spanish is negligible. But we've found that football is the universal language, and we just shouted 'Leeverpool', 'Bocaa', 'Tevezz', and 'Mascherrrrano' at each other for a while! We got on so well that he wanted a photo, and we took it on the steps in the square, a dangerous game, 'cos I subsequently fell down them!
So tomorrow, we're off to see the salt flats, then instead of heading into Chile, it's back to Salta, we're disappointed, but I suspect Yaco is quite pleased!