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Published: April 17th 2010
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Santa Fe Socialist Party HQ
Dunno why I took this picture, humor perhaps? Finally, my first excursion outside of Rosario. I woke up at 6:00 AM to get ready to catch my 8:00 AM non-stop bus to Santa Fe. Once I got to the bus terminal I found where my bus would be departing from after some confusion between my seat number and the platform number. After that was figured out, I was instructed that my seat was on the second level of the bus (it was a double-decker) and after some more confusion to as where my seat actually was, I found it to be the very front seat looking out through the front window. Needless to say, this was the most fun bus ride that I've had traveling from one place to another. Though my preferred form of transportation is still by train.
Upon arriving in Santa Fe at 10:30 AM, I immediately checked into my hotel, which happens to be only 2 blocks from the bus terminal, SCORE! The room is small and the wallpaper is peeling, but hey, it's a room with a bed. I won't have to look at the wallpaper anyway cause I'm only going to be in there with the lights off.
After checking in
Church/Monastery Turned Into A Museum
This old church build in the late 1600s was recently renovated and turned into a museum depicting the colonization of the Santa Fe Province I walked down to the cathedral, as well as where most of the government buildings are, as Santa Fe is the capital of the Santa Fe province, go figure! There were also two museums that are old 18th century buildings refurbished into museums for Santa Fe. They were closed though, only on Fridays, my luck. Though they still did make good pictures. There was also a huge sun dial in the middle of the square. It was one hour off, but daylight savings, right?
After checking out most of the park area, it was about 2 in the afternoon so I decided to go grab some lunch. The only place that was even relatively nearby was a McDonald's, so I figured I'd see if the food is just as bad down here as it is back in the states. And it didn't disappoint. Though the entertaining side of this story was when I was leaving with my drink. The cups for soda are extremely flimsy here and without fail, always fold in your hands. This was no exception, the cup folded in my hands as I was leaving and it fell out of my hand. Though, I had the
momentum built up, as I was walking fast, to spin around, drop to one knee and catch the cup by the bottom and get back up in one fluid movement. I myself couldn't believe what I had just done and stood there looking around at everyone who had stopped eating to watch me perform this impossible feat. Unable to think of anything to say, I said in a loud voice, "GOOOAAAL!" and took off out the door, not waiting to see if anyone laughed or was weirded out by the experience.
My other eating experience here in Santa Fe was at a Parrilla. Where I ordered one of the most delicious cuts of meat that I could get my hands on. I took a picture (posted here), but it didn't turn out too well as the restaurant was quite smoky from the grill and screwed with my camera lens.
As for my overall experience in Santa Fe, I felt that it is a much more laid back city than Rosario as well as being infinitely cleaner. The taxi drivers are actually talkative and nice, though they don't quite understand the Spanish for, "talk slower please". Not that this
is different from any other place in this country...
***This is a new part of the blog that I'm going to post every post to inform what I miss, what I want, and what I have learned today.***
What I miss: Family and friends of course! Have missed them since I left and I don't see that changing anytime soon. It kind of sucks not really having anyone physically there to explain problems to. Yes I have skype, but it doesn't beat actually having someone there to help you out of a jam.
What I want: I want to go back to Rosario, honestly. Yes I was glad I was able to get away from Rosario and go out on a little excursion, but I absolutely underestimated how difficult it would be bumming around Argentina by myself. I will definitely be sure to bring along someone else in the program before heading off to any other destinations.
What I learned: I learned that driving in Argentina is not something I'd ever want to do. Not only would I have to fork over and arm and a leg for a car, but in order to travel anywhere
Museum
Another old building turned into a museum for the Province of Santa Fe. in your car, you have to pass through a toll booth nearly every 20 miles or so. Making even cross provincial travel a pain in the butt, as well as in your wallet. Makes me feel lucky to be an American. We can drive anywhere in the nation and not worry about paying anything more than for gas. Which is more expensive here!
Anyway, that's it for my installment of Santa Fe, see you in Parana tomorrow!
Ciao,
Erik
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Don Thomas
non-member comment
Nice
It is nice having someone you know give you a play-by-play narrative of a foreign country. Thanks, OLDDON