Cafayate, Argentina

I have completely fallen in love with Argentina.

Cafayate is a beautiful town three hours south of Salta. The drive down is a stunning display of colorful canyonlands, very similar to landscapes I have seen in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, or parts of Colorado.

I am staying at a very welcoming place called Rusty-K, highly recommended for their very kind and attentive staff. Last night, they cooked an amazing meal for all the guests on the outdoor fireplace--they even roasted a bunch of veggies for me! The meat in Argentina is truly mouthwatering, and communal jugs of delicious local wine only cost a few dollars (I think the wine is actually cheaper than the water here).

Today I hiked with my new British friends Lee and Aaron out into the desert landscape. We walked down a dusty road lined with vineyards then followed a beautiful river up stunning, steep canyons punctuated by gigantic cacti. Despite some hazardous crossings we all managed not to fall in! There were a number of pools that would be ideal places for a dip in the summertime. As it is, the highs this time of year (at noon, and in the sunshine) only make it into the 60s, and we actually saw some icy streams in the shadier parts of the canyons.

After our 15 kilometer hike--much of it over challenging, rocky stream bed--we definitely deserved the liter of wine we enjoyed at a sunny table on the central plaza. And for only $1 each, it was delicious local cabernet! Tonight we are dining at the delectable Casa de la Empanada, where twelve handmade empanadas and a jar of vino are only $8. Argentina is definitely the most expensive country I have visited on this trip, but if you eat local food you can still dine very affordably.

After much more challenging travel in Bolivia and Peru, arriving in Argentina is like taking a shower after a week-long camping trip in the desert. It is a beautiful, orderly place with enough backpackers that you can quickly hook up with other travelers and enjoy the sites together. Things just seem so smooth here--I could easily kick back and hitchhike around this country for the next three months. If I werent looking forward to the second year of the yoga institute this fall, I wouldnt come home until Christmas!