It took us exactly 14 hours, 3 buses, 2 taxis and a 3km walk over the border to get from Tarija to Jujuy. It was a long day. We took a bus from Tarija to Bermejo and for the entire 4 and a half hour trip a lady with no teeth stared at us open mouthed. We crossed the Bolivia - Argentina border at Bermejo, via a bridge and a 3km walk to the first town on the Argentina side, Aguas Blancas. Having left the dizzying altitude of central Bolivia the temperate was more humid, and I was welcomed into Argentina by a swarm of hungry mosquitos.
From Aguas Blancas we took a bus to San Pedro, and from there another bus to San Salvador de Jujuy, arriving to our first 'choripan' - Argentinian sausage butty! Tasty.
We stayed at Club Hostel, very nice hostel with comfy beds, a big kitchen and a small pool that was full of leaves because its winter and only weirdos like me and Ric want to swim.
As our first day in Jujuy was a Sunday the city center was a deserted, however, we found all of the locals hanging out in the local park. There was a small fair, candy floss, a little train and best of all - Argentina's answer to Krufts! In the middle of the park everyone was crowded round watching these poor depressed dogs being dragged around a circle in the most ridiculous outfits I've ever seen. My favourites were a dog looking like the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood dressed up as the Grandma, and a big white boxer dog wearing a shiny blue and silver cheer leaders costume. There was also a terrier wearing denim hotpants, silver boots and a checked shirt. Crazy Argentinans.
Jujuys very nice, relaxed town, the weather is lovely and there are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants. We absolutely indulged on dinner and ate at a fantastic, rather fancy restaurant where we had: unlimited salad bar, egg and chips, bread rolls, unlimited grilled meats that just kept arriving at our table, pudding, wine, and a night cap for the grand total of about £15. It was divine, I had like 6 steaks!
About an hour away out of Jujuy, in the mountains, is Termas de Reyes, a spot with natural hot springs. There were 2 choices of places to bathe; the communal pool just off the main road, or in a private booth with panoramic views of the mountains in a spa at a 5 star hotel. Obviously being young travellers on a budget... we chose the posh spa!! Ric's a bad influence on me, he makes me eat steak and go to fancy spas. We were shown to our own little room with a huge sunken bath of hot termal waters, sun loungers and a floor to ceiling window over looking the valley. Not had a bath since I left home - it was LUSH! The valley was really pretty, we had lunch in a little outdoor cafe next to the river and I had a nap in the sun. Had such a jolly nice time that we decided to stay 2 extra nights.
Ric's Eplogue
If travelling from Bolivia to Argentina go via Villazon as life is made more simple. But you miss DMX n 50 Cents holiday home. Some bolivian buses contain hags who no matter how many times you try to stare them out or distract them by pointing at not much in the other direction, continue staring right through to your soul whilst sipping on what looks like a bag of manky water with a pickled onion sat at the bottom. 50 cent and DMX spend their hols chilling in a garden shed on the Bolivia Argentina border, I know this as it says so on their front door.
Jujuy has a moving cinema, not very helpful when your trying to locate it. The coffee n ice creams here are peng! And on Sunday they hold a mini version of Krufts for all the locals who have gay ass dogs. This is also the reason for no street dogs here as the only bitch in the town can roam freely without having her arse sniffed by 20 or more dogs on heat.
Krufts should stay in the NEC and worshipped by poncy brits who want to give medals to slobbering furry beasts dressed like armish children ready for church on a Sunday morning, red riding hoods gran or pretending they're elton john.
Rics note on food...
Butties are pretty badboy, Empanadas are better. 6 steak dinner - spot on, all you can eat salad - sweet, vino - bingo, under 30 quid for 2 - back of the net!!!
FEED US UP ARGENTINA!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment