http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/gordita/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from gordita en-us Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:40:45 +0000 Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:40:45 +0000 Although there's much more to do in Mendoza both in the city and in the province I opted to take it easy since this was the tail end of my trip. I visited each of the central plazas and gave each one the time it deserved including a nap in Plaza Independencia. I sampled some Mendocino wines both with new friends and in the wineries. And I spent my last vacation day like many Argentines a Su http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Mendoza/Mendoza/blog-122851.html Since the province of Tucuman is Argentina's sugar capital I felt obigated to visit the Museo de la Industria Azucarera to see how this sugar thing happens. The museum is situated in the former home of Bishop Colombres who had a hand in revving up and encouraging the sugar industry in this province. From the home of such a pious man usually such men are indifferent to high living standards no http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/blog-120709.html Before arriving I had some romantic visions of Cafayatehellip.small vineyards like wheel spokes branching out from a cozy town all nestled among more of my favorite Quebrada colors. And it is just that but when you mix in hordes of Argentine teenagers and university students it loses some of its appeal. So during my two days in Cafayate my main goal was to avoid the noise and try to stick t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Salta/Cafayate/blog-120769.html I love how legends and tales on the whole imagination shape and twist the naming and history of our surroundings. So it was with the Quebrada de la Concha which owing to its unfortunate reference to rude anatomical terminology is now called Quebrada del Toro Bull Gorge. Running through Salta Province in northwest Argentina up to the border with Chile this gorge hugs the course of the Rio http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Salta/blog-120708.html One of my EFL students in Buenos Aires was orginally from Salta and I always admired his enthusiasm for life his easily understood Spanish and the pride he showed in his province. One day I read a feature article in the weekend paper about cock fighting's success and challenges in Salta and prior to that I had tried the wholesome humita en chala and empanadas that are typical of the region. T http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Salta/blog-119723.html I'm going to let the Quebrada de Humahuaca speak for itself through photos...It's easier to understand the incredible colors the depth of the beauty this place projects. This was my experience along the QuebradaStarting on my first day in San Salvador de Jujuy the capital of Jujuy province in northwestern Argentina I took a day trip to Purmamarca a charming little place just for a couple of http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Jujuy/Quebrada-de-Humahuaca/blog-118581.html 117 12 hours. That's roughly the amount of time I have spent on a bus over the last few weeks starting from December 18th and not counting day trips. Just in case you think it's a typo I'll throw the number out there again 117 12. By now I'm perfectly happy on any bus with or without roaches bus cama or semi cama seats or broken ones on time or not. It's just something you get used to af http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/Villazon/blog-117042.html I've never felt this way before but I am amazed by the flamingo. I admit it's always been an eyecatching animal in a freakofnature sort of way. Flamingos are pink and funnylooking good for some amusement. But now after visiting the Salar de Uyuni and its surrounding landscape dotted with multicolored lagoons I feel a newfound respect for the bird. Up here at 4000 meters above sea level http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/Potosi-Department/Salar-de-Uyuni/blog-116817.html New Year's on the Isla del Sol Island of the SunSun Island sounds a little Club Med at first but it is nothing at all like that. Inca legend has it that the sun was born here and the first Incas appeared from a rock at the northern end of the island. I spent New Year's Eve and part of New Year's Day on this island rising from the bluest lake I've ever seen Lago Titicaca which sits at high al http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Isla-del-Sol/blog-115613.html My head's a bit in the clouds today which is fine for a day of running errands and some light sightseeing in La Paz. I think my full night of sleep yesterday should be enough to cancel out the two nights of no sleep having too much fun in Bolivia.... And it can't be the altitude playing its tricks on me. By now I've gotten used to it except when it comes to climbing steps or steep hills. Maybe http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/Tiwanaku/blog-115601.html I can see I'll need another trip to Bolivia sometime soon...It really is breathtaking in more ways than one. Coming in across the scrubby Chaco I ended up in Santa Cruz where colorful arcaded buildings lined shady squares and tamarind orange pineapple and other juices were sold on every corner for 1 boliviano 80 cents US. It's a lively city with a tropical feel. The mini buses zoom around http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/La-Paz-Department/La-Paz/blog-114502.html The longest dirtiest most hilarious bus ride I have ever been on yet read this epic with an open mind. Monday December 25th Christmas Day.This morning I checked out of my hotel and crossed the street to Encarnacion's bus terminal now a desert when it comes to people compared to the weekend's sweaty swarms that took all the space and air away. Ten minutes before 12 the winds picked up http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Bolivia/blog-114040.html I mentioned in an earlier entry that I loved the people of Paraguay and now I have perfect proof to show how wonderful they are. Saturday when I arrived in Encarnacion ready to see the missions I spent a couple hours taking care of minor errands in the cute downtown whose commercial center consists mainly of two streets. Along one street I came across a travel agency. Though I'd already decid http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Paraguay/Encarnacion/blog-114041.html A break from the pouring rain was all I wanted for Christmas...And today I was granted a few hours of sunshine with puffy clouds and blue skies the best backdrop for the immense ruins that stretch over a hilltop in Trinidad Paraguay. Even as the storm clouds came rolling back in they served to just increase the dramatic nature of the scene and leave me enough time to wave down a bus from the r http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Paraguay/Encarnacion/blog-114001.html ...than I gave it. Looking back at what I wrote and the pictures I posted yesterday I see that Iunintentionallypainted a very bleak picture of Paraguay. I didn't realize it yesterday but really I think it was just that a I didn't have many pictures due to the rain and the ones I had negatively depict the country 2 the rainy day gave me the blues and c I didn't have time to really say http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Paraguay/Asunci%F2n/blog-112920.html Over the past couple months almost everyone I told about my upcoming trip to Paraguay responded with the same brand of look one of those tilt your head to the side purse your lips funny and lift your eyebrows looks that hints towards something on a scale between 'Whyyyy' and 'Are you crazy' and I took it as more encouragement for this adventure. If there's something so weird about Paraguay t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Paraguay/Asunci%F2n/blog-112693.html The first stop on my trip Iguazu Falls at the triple border between Argentina Paraguay and Brazil has been a very Natalieappropriate destination one full of wildlife and walking. Before I leave for Paraguay I'd better at least tell you about it just in case I'm never seen or heard from again after being kidnapped by Bin Laden's crew in the desolate Chaco of Paraguay that was just a joke http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Misiones/Iguazu-National-Park/blog-112205.html Este ano paso volando This year flew byI can't believe it's time to go...How can I leave Buenos Aires after a springtime of sun jacaranda trees outdoor cafes and parks packed with people It's beautiful I feel comfortable I'm happy...I think I'll console myself with a LONG trip around South America...For now I'd like to linger in my BA a bit.... http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Argentina/Buenos-Aires/Buenos-Aires/blog-110943.html