Blogs from San Juan, Argentina, South America - page 4

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What I first took for broken glass buried in the dusty road, turned out to be mica, loads of it. In the unrelenting midday sun, in this small, town, the dirt streets sparkle as though littered with jem stones. Its sunday, and many kids are outside. I can hear them now while sitting in this room, which lets out into the street, typing at the computer. When I went for a walk earliers, I saw girls playing field hockey next to the church, boys playing soccer in the street, and teenagers playing pool in the only place open at this time of day. Today truely feels restful, and at the same time, extrodinarily fun and active. They way leisure time ought always to be. I stayed in this small town because I didnt want to have ... read more
Cemetary
The hostel
See...

South America » Argentina » San Juan » Ischigualasto November 3rd 2007

One large awakening of the imagination for womankind. Valle de la Luna, or the valley of the Moon, is a desert. I have never seen a place like this up until now. ... read more
More  Wierd Rocks
Me with the wierd rocks
Jumping for joy!

South America » Argentina » San Juan November 2nd 2007

Ill admit Im having quite a few language difficulties here. Its my fault, but what else am I supposed to do? I just got wallow through the difficulties and try to learn something. I guess Im really writing to vent some feelings... I had such a frustrating day on this account! At first, I was very happy to be in San Juan. The streets are cute, the city is clean... whatever. I am only paying $5.72 for a hostel to night... and it is so nice!! Yay. Well, I thought that was nice, until I found that on account of my bad spanish, I somehow had lunch for over $7. Which totally spoiled my "I{m saving so much money today" happy mood... and the food wasnt even good. It ws actually terrible! There is just something ... read more
rinconsaurus

South America » Argentina » San Juan September 14th 2007

Tom and I left Mendoza and headed for San Juan a few hours north. After a few hours in the town and discovering we were sharing a room with a bunch of oldies, we decided one night would be enough. Though in our one night there we still managed to down a few nice bottles of red... Mendoza is the home of wine, 70% of Argentina's wine comes from Mendoza. Tom and I found a nice bottle and then followed it by a couple more made by the owners of the hostel. Was a fun low key night! The next afternoon, after spending a lazy day lying in a park in the sun, Tom and I headed to the bus station to catch a bus to Barreal, a town small Tom had read about that sounded ... read more
Sunset
Barreal at first siting
The secure cupboard door in our hostel room

South America » Argentina » San Juan July 17th 2007

Hallo Ihr Lieben daheim im warmen Europa :-) !!! Wie versprochen, melden wir uns von unserem naechsten Stop in Argentinien!!! Nach Mendoza und dem nicht so erfolgreichen Trip zum Aconcagua (wie wir berichtet haben :-), haben wir uns auf den Weg nach San Juan und dem “Parque Provincial Ischigualasto” (auch bekannt als "Valle de Luna", Mondtal) gemacht! Die Fahrt mit dem Bus war fuer argentinische Verhaeltnisse echt kurz - nur 2.5 Stunden :-) Mittags sind wir in San Juan angekommen! San Juan ist einmal mehr ein kleines verschlafenes Staedtchen im Norden Argentiniens. Das Hostel, das wir gefunden haben, war echt nett! Und wir haben uns direkt aufgemacht, um uns einmal mehr die Stadt zu erlaufen (Was bei der “Groesse” nicht wirklich schwer ist :-). Gott sei Dank, spielte das Wetter mit! Die Sonne hat geschienen ... read more

South America » Argentina » San Juan » Ischigualasto February 23rd 2007

WEEK 11 THE DESERT Our bus from San Juan to San Augustin de Valle Fertil was delayed as a metal strip from the bus twisted and shredded an inner back tyre. We limped and rumbled along to a 'gomeria' ( wonderful term!) where the tyre was replaced . Fortunately we were only a few miles from San Juan - we could have been in the middle of the desert on our 4 hours journey north. This is the first breakdown in over 7000k - so I have been lucky! San Augustin de Valle Fertil lies among the Sierra Papeanas, gentle sedimentary mountains cut by canyons. This lower altitude valley has water and irrigation which permits some agriculture for vines and a shady plaza. The town is now a gate way to Ischigualasto National Park 80K north ... read more
Valle de la lune
Hongo ( mushroom)
Sphinx

South America » Argentina » San Juan February 18th 2007

WEEK 10 A short bus journey for 2 hours from Mendoza to San Juan. Much of Argentina is uninhabitable because of the the arid desert conditions in the lee of the Andes. Towns only exist where water is available and where land can be irrigated. Towns are located many hours apart with only occasional small settlements in between. As a result national bus lines only run between large towns and local buses only operate within the environs of the settlement. Therefore it is very difficult to get off the beaten track. Long distance buses do sometimes stop or divert to smaller towns along the route - but the timings are dictated by the needs of the larger towns - so being dropped off or picked up at a possibly interesting sounding town at 3.30 in the ... read more
Route 40 at Huaco
Journey to Huaco
Huaco

South America » Argentina » San Juan December 12th 2006

What could be a better way of escaping the winter snow than a trip to Argentina? I did not realize just how big Argentina really is - and since it is spread out north to south, you can pretty much pick your climate. First stop was BA, busy streets, clean sidewalks - the atmosphere is Europe, only cheaper. McDonalds is promently featured at the Plaza de Mayo but everywhere else are sidewalk cafe's with sandwiches, pizza, and steak. The Recoleta area cafe's and restaurants are packed at night, and the cemetery is well worth a visit during the day. Generals, baronessas, and doctors are buried here in a beautiful surrounding. The tombs are so well thought out and designed that it puts my house to shame. Tour groups and families visit for a history lesson, romantic ... read more
BA Domestic Terminal Departure Lounge
The SeaShore
The Sea Shore

South America » Argentina » San Juan » Difunta Correa October 31st 2006

In the 1840s a civil war raged in Argentina, the porteños against the interior of the country. One woman named Deolina Correa set out with her infant baby and supplies to follow her sick husband, serving as a soldier in the war. After her food and water ran dry, she soon collapsed in the desert, dead. When were body was found, those there were astonished to find that her infant baby was still alive, suckling on the dead woman's breast. Soon news spread of the apparent miracle, and people began to become devotees to the dead soul (not technically a saint) who had come to be known as Difunta Correa (literally, "defunct Correa"). The site where she supposedly died began as a simple cross on a hilltop about 100 years after her death, but has since ... read more
Subida
Agua
La cruz

South America » Argentina » San Juan August 7th 2006

The highlights of a weekend in the provinces of San Juan and La Rioja with Raúl, his Spanish workmate and a local guide/driver, in no particular order... LA DIFUNTA CORREA SHRINE, SAN JUAN PROVINCE: Photos (at least mine) do not do this place justice. The name translates as The Deceased Correa (Correa being a surname). Originally a small shrine devoted to a popular, semi-pagan, mythical figure, it has grown into an extensive sanctuary with a baffling array of offerings ranging from car registration plates and wedding dresses to football boots and human hair. It's Buenos Aires' San Telmo flea market on acid. Various small, roadside shrines dedicated to La Difunta can be found throughout the country, often surrounded by bottles of water (not to be confused with the roadside shrines strewn with red flags and dedicated ... read more
Looking up in Talampaya
La Difunta invites you to mass
Difunta Correa shrine II




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