Across the border and beyond

The guys came to the station with me to see me off, which was a bit emotional.  I clabbered on the train with my bag (which was getting heavier by the moment, despite not really buying anything), trying to lift it onto the holding racks above the seats and failing miserably with it falling straight back on me; I mean it could have caused some serious damage, in the end I managed it, sitting down with a bit of a red face getting comfortable for my next journey, the border of Boliva and Argentina.

No sooner was the train attendant putting a blanket over me and the pillow under my head I woke up we were at Villazon.

No sooner was the train attendant putting a blanket over me and the pillow under my head I woke up we were at Villazon

I felt good after a nice sleep and was refreshed, the sun was shining and I got off the train energised.  I went straight to the main road to get a taxi to the border, looking left a right not really knowing what direction to go in, I saw some other back packers and invited them to share my taxi and that is how I met Celine from France and Rodrigo from Chile. 

So I spent a total of about 12 hours or so on my own, not long huh.  We went to the border and after five hours a lot of shouting at the Argentinean Customs,( not by me i might add, other irate westerners who didn’t want to be in the queue with Peruvians/Bolivians who they have strict immigration laws with) my aching legs crossed over to Argentina.

Me and my new international Amigos got straight on a bus to Salta the nearest city from the border.  After some hustling at the bus station we finally decided on a hostel.  On meeting some Argentineans in the hostel we went straight out (I just don’t hang around anymore and Salta had a certain vibe that I was feeling), where i experienced Spanish dancing, not just the classic (bit of Tango I believe) but also their dance music which is like going back to the nineties, ace of base meet south American salsa, mad mix.  Despites this alternative music that my ears were experiencing I managed to dance for many more hours, lucky for me i can move my hips.

Salta was a real Spanish feeling town, which is what they say about Argentina, the most European influenced.  I spent the days chilling out in the plazas, enjoying the sun, coffee and relaxed town. 

Celine was the first to leave my international trio for Buneos Aires and so it was just my Spanish speaking friend Rodrigo.   I have a good feeling about Argentina, it is busy, hot and young, oh and again extremely European (a reason why i have probably warmed to it so much).  Plus the Argentines that i have met have already made me lunch and really made the effort as much as they can do with them know little English and me knowing no Spanish.  On discovering the sights of Salta i might take advantage of my Chilean friend and learn some of the basics, or at least try.  Lets hope that Argentina lives up to all the brilliant things that people have said about it!