Just like home, only way different

Hola from Salta!

Sunday evening - we arrive in Salta at 9pm and head to the restaurant that is named the best in all three guide books we´re using. It´s conveniently three blocks away. Allison scored with a delicious hunk of grilled steak. I tried to be healthy and went for the garlic chicken and potatoes. The menu (in English and Spanish) didn't mention the half-inch of butter in which the food swam when it arrived. Ugh. However, on the positive side, all this meat has cured my system of the inevitable, uh, digestive issues one can have when traveling. Score!

Monday (today) - Museums were on our list until we discovered they are all closed Mondays. Rats. Also, the weather is a breath of cold and cloudy fresh air, just like home. No more 90 per cent humidity in 90 degree weather and constant damp clothes. It feels good to wear our old clothes rather than the quick dry travel clothes.

We found the market today - just fantastic. It´s all under cover and covers a square block. Inside are a large number of food stands, butchers, spice sellers, and other vendors. All are eager for our business and we´re approached constantly. We gave our business to the stand where the woman who directed us to the bañyo works. Two tamales and two empanadas at a stand, all for just a few dollars. Afterward we found many other things, including cocao leaves, which are illegal to bring across any borders, & the charcoal you chew with it to crush it (in plain, salt & anise flavor).

Again, the driving here amazes us. They care not a wit for pedestrians as Allison found out when the large city bus that was at a stop decided to lunge forward to within a few feet of her while she was in the crosswalk. Her jump confirmed that she has very good reflexes. I am constantly studying the intersections to see how they work so that we´re ready when we rent our car in a few days: no control signs, no indication of one way streets and constant games of chicken.

Currently it is 3pm and the city shut down an hour ago for their siesta. It is amazing how quiet the city gets as all the shops shut down (save for restaurants) as the population retreats for a few hours of nap and food.

Ciao ciao for now...

Mark and Allison