Drinking From The Ganges

Santiago, Chile-

I arrived from Cordoba, AR to Santiago, CL by bus on March 21, 2008.  The bus from Cordoba took 25 long hours!!  Upon my arrival to Chile, i desperately needed to find an ATM, as I had no cash to take the subway to the hostel.  I obviously did not know where to locate the ATM in the bus terminal, therefore, I went to the tourist information booth to obtain directions.  Now mind you, generally speaking most information provided from a tourist information booth is in Spanish…..which was the case this time.  So, with the directions given in Spanish- I sorted through the words I know, the words I kind of know and the words I completely and utterly do not know and with that I proceeded to locate the ATM. 

Eventually, I found the ATM (which was about 50 feet away) and proceeded with my transaction.  However, upon first attempt the ATM said “no foreign transactions” (or something to that effect).  After reading this, I thought I hit the wrong button, so I tried for a second time…..but the second time had the same result.  After the second attempt, I became a bit concerned, as it was 8pm and no banks were open and I had exactly 0 pesos and 0 dollars on me!  My only option at that point was to try again.  However, while attempting my third try a fellow backpacker entered the ATM kiosk (I know he was a traveler, because he had blond hair and a large backpack on his back….dead giveaway :)  I asked him to try to use the ATM, (he is also a “foreign user”) I wanted to know if it was  just my card or if his attempt would prove futile.  Apparently, he had previously attempted to use another ATM within the bus station, but he received the same message as me.  I asked him to try this specific ATM for me, just to confirm it REALLY was not my card.  So, he did…..and indeed, it did not work!!!  [read on]

I am sad to say Farewell Argentina….the country with such magnificent beauty, culture, people, WINE and FOOD- more specifically my new found love of all things cow, take a back seat pig…there´s a new meat in town!!

I spent two days short of a month in Argentina, which doesn´t even do this country justice.  There is so much land to cover, land so diverse from north to south.  I only had the opportunity to visit the north, west, central, and east.  However, I will be back…..this is only farewell and not goodbye!

I have now reached Santiago, Chile.  I have been in Chile for three days- arrived Friday March 21, 2008.  As of today I plan to stay here for five more days, because I signed up for private Spanish lessons. **God help me**  This is my pathetic attempt to resurrect the Spanish I learned over fifteen years ago……

I have much to say about Santiago already, but I will save it for Pt. 2.  However, I will leave you with this I *heart* Santiago!!!

I arrived in Cordoba, AR on Monday March 17th, 2008.  Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina and has the largest student population (total of five universities).  I decided to visit Cordoba mainly because it was close to La Cumbre, ... [Continue reading this entry]

Mendoza, AR- ¨Wine capital of Argentina¨  -Mendoza has over a hundred vineyards, which produce almost three-quarters of the country´s total wine.  The majority of wines produced in this region are red and are of the cabernet and Malbec varietal.  The majority ... [Continue reading this entry]

Finally, as promised below is a link to a few photos I have uploaded.  I have come to realize it is a very big challange to upload photos, without my own computer (I used a hostelmates laptop to upload these).  ... [Continue reading this entry]

Salta is north of Cafayate, not far from Bolivia. I decided to visit Salta for a couple of days, before I headed back down south to Mendoza. The bus ride took 3 1/2 hours from Cafayate. I basically, toured the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Cafayate, AR- Cafayate is a small town in the North of Argentina, not far from the border of Bolivia. I decided to visit Cafayate for two reasons: 1) To get off the beaten track for a couple of days. 2) To visit ... [Continue reading this entry]

I made it via bus to Puerto Iguazu from B.A.  It took nearly 18 hours via a bus from B.A.(needless to say I was exhausted by the time I arrived)  The buses in Argentina are nothing compared to the ... [Continue reading this entry]

Part Two to my first entry for B.A. Back to the toursit attractions. On Thursday night (i think it was Thursday, I'm on vacation, cannot seem to remember what day it is.....it's a hard life} went to a Tango Show.  The show ... [Continue reading this entry]