And Argentina again ...

In the last post I mentioned a trip in 4WD and very pretty landscapes. I'm afraid you will have to wait for the pictures, as it is difficult to describe all the variety. The excursion ended in Tupiza, from where I took again the train down to the Argentinian border, and then a bus to Salta.
I traveled down here with the same people I did the Salar trip, as we all seemed to go in the same direction. A nice bunch of people, although we are separating from here on. Nicolas -French- said as we entered Jujuy: it's like being back in Europe. Bear in mind that Jujuy is the capital of the poorest province here, that Argentinian standards are well below European, and you will get an idea of how Bolivia was like. Anyway, it is nice being in Salta and I was glad to leave the Altiplano. Oxygen was not a problem, as my body got used to heights long ago. Just my skin and lips were so dry, and nights were so cold....
Salta is only at 1,200 masl (I come from well above 4,000), temperature is mild, both night and day, and there are some nice streets and plazas to walk around. As in Buenos Aires, plenty of cafes to sit and have a drink, although people look more laid back here. This is only a provincial capital after all. The surroundings are also supposed to be very pretty, but unfortunately I won't have time to explore them. I'll just take the teleférico to a nearby mountain.
All in all, Salta is a very pleasent place to spend some time. If you remember from one of my first posts, my grandfather lived here for 5 years. I don't know how he ended up in Salta, but it seems to me like a good choice. Salta "la linda" (=the beautiful) is called by the locals, and I must say is true. There is of course some poverty around, and the unavoidable collection of old Peugeots and Renaults, but I wouldn't mind spending here some more time. Unfortunately I'm flying to Buenos Aires tomorrow, from where I'll be taking a new plane to Belgium next week. I gues my holidays are almost over, and I'll have to get a job soon not to make some of you worry. It's unbelievable that I am told to work by a funcionario (civil servant). How many hours did you say you work a week, curmán? I'm sure I'll be soon beating that by far, and then we'll talk ...