Managed a few hours sleep on the nightbus last night but still pretty tired when we arrived at San Ignacio. We were given a couple of options for extra activities while here, either kayaking or mountain bike riding. Unfortunately, there were only 7 places available for kayaking so I missed out, and mountain biking not being my thing I had a pretty relaxed day. The town isnt huge, just a few streets really. We did a quick orientation walk, then a bunch of us took a tour of the Jesuit ruins.

The ruins are actually quite impressive. The site was used by Jesuits who created a mission (around the 1700's I think) for the native people. At the time the natives were being expolited buy people who wanted them as slaves for coffee plantations etc. The Jesuits offered them protection in return for them converting religions. The mission was set up in a square pattern with one side housing the church, mission school, priests quarters etc. The remaining 3 sides housed the indigenous people in barrack like housing. Each section of the indigenous housing had a chief, and the most important of these chiefs was like a mayor. We had quite an informative tour and I loved looking at the carvings which are still preserved in the ruins. I was also introduced to the Mate tree which is the plant the tee that Argentineans seem to love is made from.

Mate is like a religion in itself. People carry around thermoses full of hot water and their mate sets (pronounced Mah Tay). Little kids take them to school and there are even vending machines to refill your thermos with hot water! The mate cup has a built in straw and you see people sucking on them everywhere. Think Ill stick to peppermint tea though.