Oh, Argentina!

Todd described our tour of the Salt Flats. I didn't really know what to expect of the whole thing, but I can say that I was amazed at how vast the terrain felt. Salt, or rather what looked like barren, cracked ground, as far as the eye good see. We were lucky enough to have a few clouds on the horizon to break up the scenery. We did taste the salt and wow, was it strong unrefined goodness. But even too strong for this salt addict. The rest of the trip was also nice. Lots of driving but the scenery was so remote and desolate, it made me feel like we were the only people for miles. That is until we came to our next destination where we would meet up with the other 10 trucks. Oh well, that's tourist travel for you.

Unfortunately, the last day of the trip I began to swell. Ryan, you may remember the beautiful rash that appeared all over my body when you visited us in Nicaragua. Well, it returned and I am now convinced that I am 100% allergic to cheap synthetic fibers and dies from unwashed sheets. Luckily, this time I caught the rash before I looked like a total leper and immediately started a strict regiment of antihistamines.

So, as we waited for our train. Todd blogged and I sat in a hazy state, ready for bed at 7pm. The train was great. The roads in Bolivia are horrible, so it was nice to experience a semi bump free ride. I was rocked to sleep like an angel! And we got a breakfast of hot eggs, bread, juice, and cafe in the morning. An unexpected surprise.

We immediately hopped a taxi to the border. The customs officials on the Argentina side were super strict. Making people unpack each and every bag. Our last border crossing with just Todd and I. And yet, we managed to screw it up. We had no pesos and were lambasted by the taxi driver on the Argentina side for asking him to accept Bolivianos. How we forgot to exchange money is beside me, its not like this was our first rodeo. Anyway, the taxi driver accepted the money and we were off to the bus station. We caught the first bus out after being ripped off by the bus company and charged an exuberant exchange rate. Not our smoothest transition into another country. But, we were in Argentina. My bum immediately felt the difference as we cruised down the road.

Now, we are in Salta awaiting yet another bus, this time to Mendoza. The currency here is the Argentina peso at a 3.78p to $1 exchange rate.

The buses here are stupid expensive, but cheaper then a plane. And the empanades are delicious at about 1.25p each. Salta is lovely, Argentina is lovely. There are green trees, not dust, paved roads, proper cafes and stores, it is wonderful. There are also a ton of cars. An immediate change in modes of transportation between rich and poor countries; rich equals cars, poor equals motobikes. We celebrated our arrival with a bottle of wine and some yummy cheese last night. 5p or $1.5o for a decent bottle of wine. It is so exciting to not be drinking beer. Todd is making us a salad for lunch, yes, there is lettuce in Argentina also. I think I am going to like it here!