El Norte (part 1)... and to think I wasn´t sure I´d come this way

So after Iguazu I was fortunate enough to catch yet another flight, this time to Salta in the northern part of Argentina. Salta is known for more wine makers and the neighbouring area Jujuy is stunningly beautiful. Let me show you... once again from the wing of my plane, enjoying some sunrise walks and later on from the seat of some buses.

This is in Purmamarca the tinniest little town about 4 blocks by 4 blocks known for the fact that the surrounding mountains are seven deep shades of red, orange, green etc. Such a worthwhile sunrise walk.

I traveled to Purmamarca & later Tilcara via bus, three buses to get there, to be accurate, and one back to Salta. One 2.5hr journey from Salta to Jujuy city with a scrubby bus station and then another 1hr bus to our final destination for one night of Purmamarca.  (In the photo above left is Melanie (from Burlington Canada) showing what the Semi Cama buses are like. TVs playing english or spanish films pretty loud and chairs that lean back.) This wasn´t the nicest bus I have been on ... pretty similar to Greyhound in Canada.

Driving further north to Tilcara which is about 2400meters above sea level and only 45mins from Purmamarca was one bus. Finally the return trip was direct so only took 3hrs.  In the photo to the Right (above) you can see our view from the return bus. We had front row, top level seats. This is Jujuy station and so is the photo to the left. I would rate this as one of the less desirable stations to land at for any period of time and will say that I can imagine most of my friends mumbling ¨dude we need to get the hell out of dodge¨ if any of you had been with me. Not sure if I should bethankful that none of you were or not. I actually kinda like these little slivers of other people´s ¨reality¨ when I travel but I will admit I like them to be short lived.

This little gem of a lady was working at one of the stalls just outside the terminal. I think it is fair to say she is in need of a ¨tag out¨with some other staff member. She seems to be due for a 40 winker as Shan would say. I honestly never caught her with her eyes open. Even while she spoke to a lady in the adjacent stall.

 Poor lass. 

Okay so back to the scenery, which I think might rival that of Patagonia.

I am in awe, by the way, of the fact that Argentina possesses such breadth in terms of landscape. I shouldn´t be since I have traveled so much of Routa 40 (the road that connects Ushuaia, Argentina with Alaska) but none the less it seems to pay to have a country that is tall vs wide. I guess that is a little like a person´s physique. Hmmm. Okay, moving on.

Below photo on the left shows a graveyard on the way to Tilcara and the stunning mountains behind. Can´t believe bus windows don´t ruin these shots more.  To the right is more of our sunrise walk in Purmamarca. I can only imagine you will become sick of these landscape photos but I just can´t seem to put my camera away. With every turn I think, this is insane!

Purmamarca probably had the best markets I have seen so far. Tons of sweaters made of llama wool, carvings, jewels, stuffed llamas (the knit kind) and ceramics. I managed to drop some pesos around town to add some items to my collection at home. Here Martha (the english girl I am currently traveling with) is browsing.

The night we were there there happened to be a beautifu electrical storm that my camera managed to capture. I adore a thunder and lightening show so here´s a glimpse on the off chance you feel the same.

BAM!

xox

b