Final Hoorah in Argentina

We are almost done with our scavenger hunt. We found out this morning that several things are needed to acquire our visas before entering Bolivia (which is only 15 minutes away by foot across a small bridge from where we are sitting right now). We have spent all morning getting the following: mugshots of our faces printed on photo paper, photocopies of our vaccination records and credit card (aahh! Scared to give that away!), and printed proof of hotel reservations for tonight. The last item on the list is the one that keeps us on hold. I am waiting for the email confirmation while Cullen is running around town looking for a place to change the rest of our Argentinian money into Bolivian currency.

We gave up our wheels today, which means we can`t roam around freely but it also reduces a little of the stress that comes along with responsibility for an expensive item. Now all we have to worry about are the two little backpacks we are carrying- simple! The last days of our road trip were outstanding. We again passed through small pueblos and cruised through diverse scenery. First challenge was navigating the city streets again as we left the large city of Salta. Next challenge was a very winding, very narrow road that would be a road biker`s dream if not for the constant near collision with cars and cows. In the passenger`s seat, I had a way too good view of the jungle terrain that dropped off hundreds of meters below us.

Eventually we left the greenery and entered again the colorful desert terrain with cacti and mud homes. We stopped for a hike in the town of the Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of 7 Colors) before crashing (to sleep, I mean) in Humahuaca. Next morning we took a side trip towards a lake that required driving bouncy dirt roads for several hours. We were releaved that the tires held up until we reached the next town at the very northern border of Argentina. From there, we drove a little further east to the dreamy little village of Yavi where we stayed in the only building without a mud roof. We went for a sunset hike and sipped on mate through our gourd and bombilla in true Argentinian style. Later we endulged in a delicious dinner by the fireplace (they burn cacti here since there are no trees)and sipped down our last bottle of San Juan Syrah... it was a grand finale to a great couple of weeks in this wonderful country. Cheers!