Salta and Ju Juy

After a week or so in Buenos Aires, our group took a 2 hour excursion to the northern part of Argentina to the historical area of Salta. Upon arrival in the airport, we were taken by bus into the city of Salta to look around briefly before Argentina's big game against Greece in their final match of group play. We all watched the game in a restaurant right in the center of the city, and through a significant portion of the game, the Argentine team had its citizens on the edge of their seats, but they were finally relieved with a goal by a crowd favorite, Palermo!





The streets were deserted during the game but once the match came to an end, the main square in Salta was filled with hundreds of celebrating, ecstatic fans. The environment was incredible, especially coming from a soccer player.





Even though the game was over, our exploring continued. Our tour guide took us to numerous beautiful places throughout and around Salta to shop and also to learn of the city's great history. One place we went to was a beautiful creek outside of the city with a gift shop filled with traditional Argentine clothes, jewelery, and toys. While exploring the creek, the group of 7 teenagers decided to race up the stream, hopping rock-to-rock. Of course I ended up falling :) and had to wear wet, cold clothes until we got to the hotel. That wasn't exactly fun, but the group got a kick out of it :).





After going whitewater rafting the next day, we all went to a traditional dinner in Salta called a Pena, where they had typical Argentine food along with a stage performance with drums, dancing, and singing.





The next day, we took a long bus ride further north to Ju Juy where we learned of the endless history of Northern Argentina and the beginning of the country with Inca natives and colonization by the English and the Spanish. One place in particular we visited was a series of ancient fortresses in Argentina, the only one fully restored and reconstructed. The architecture and system of rocks was amazing and though it is the winter in Argentina, it never rains in Ju Juy and it became extremely hot at the top of the fortress.













Next we traveled to a few smaller towns where we experienced hand made goods made especially in this part of the country. After catching our flight back to Buenos Aires we learned we had no classes that Friday and we all looked forward to resting that morning.

Hasta luego,

Owen