Fui Salta!

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Hello!

I just arrived in Buenos Aires after a long 20 hour bus ride (somehow the window of the bus shattered so we had to take about a 2 to 3 hr stop to try to cover it in cardboard). I have arrived here for the afternoon and leave for Colombia to meet nicole in Medellin and then fly to Cartegena as well.

Salta was absolutely lovely. It was a charming little town and while I was there I went for a two day backpacking trip in the Junga forest, which I thought was the jungle, but in reality was a dense forest in the Andinos, which are the mountains before the Andes. I spent about a day and a half exploring salta, all of the convents and little streets (I wish i could have taken photos of the crowded streets with so much stimulus it overwhelms you but I felt uncomfotable doing that) and then I went with Alyson and our guide Rafael on an amazing hike where we camped in an old house up in the hills. The photos do it more justice than my description. My legs are still sore two days later! It was a wonderful place to reflect and just synthesize all I have seen over the past couple of weeks. It was also nice to have a companion to chat with throughout the hike and to share the thoughts i have been having while travelling solo for a while.

I hope all is well, enjoying the summer, I love hearing from all of you throughout this trip. Please stay in touch!

xoxo,
Siobhan

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Photos

Salta
the main square (9 de julio)

Salta
the main square (9 de julio)

Salta
the streets...

Salta
crosses are everywhere in this part of the country and alters to mary are at every corner.

the trek
salta below us

the trek
the view from where we had lunch the first day

happy cows
there were cows everywhere on our hike! It was amazing, people still live in small houses and trek for miles to get to them where they keep their cows. here are a couple enjoying the view.

safe cows
this is a tree next to a small lake. the people who live in the hills have a ceremony every year so that the cows will not get stuck in the mud at the lake and die. Each ornament is for the safety of the cows.

almost at the end!
a fabulous two days and we are almost done.

at the house we camped at
it was no longer inhabited, however, when it was they used to put the blood of the animals they killed on each house to keep away the spirits.

Comments

[Liz McClure]

The pictures are really as great way to give us a glimpse of the trip! I can only imagine how long the bus ride must have felt with an extra hour or two added on for cardboard repairs! Enjoy your travels in Coumbia with Nichole. We went to Cartagena several years ago, so I'll be interested in seeing what it looks like now! Safe travels - Love, Liz

[Gabe]

Trip sounds great
Hi Siobhan! Your trip sounds really great--Are you getting good first hand research done on emerging markets, inflation, forex, and commodities? (sorry, had to mention that stuff!) Your photos and comments are very interesting. Good luck and safe travels, -Gabe

[emma]

hey
hey siobhan-your trip sounds great! i'm loving your photos, and i can't wait to hear all about your adventures when you get home. nyc is good--jane, mike and henry are visiting, and i only have 1 1/2 weeks left, so i'm trying to get organized! thanks again for the great weekend in san fran!