Our last full day in Argentina. Salta was quiet on this Sunday morning. We walked by a market selling handicrafts and tourist kitsch. If I buy anything it must be small, light, and unbreakable, and so far I've resisted all urges. It helps that I'm not much for shopping.
Next, we walked up Cerro Saint Bernardo, a hill about 500 m above the city. The stone steps feature the 14 stations of the cross. At the top is a park, restaurant, mountain bike rental, and, curiously, stationery bikes and weight machines should you want to work your upper body to match the lower body workout from climbing the hill. From the top I take a few pictures at the overlook then jump on a teleferico (cable car) for a fast ride down, then reward myself with a dulce de leche—my new favorite flavor—ice cream.
My opinion of Argentinian meat has been restored: tonight's dinner was at a nearby steakhouse, El Charrua, wand was excellent in every way: service, ambiance, food, and cost. And with the bill came free shots of lemoncello. I love lemoncello.
We finally nailed down transportation from Calama to Santiago. After every credit card failed we book a flight (no bus, unfortunately) with PayPal. Finally, a use for PayPal.
Tomorrow morning we'll catch the 7 am bus for an 11-hour journey over the Andes, crossing via the Paso de Jama (4,800 m or 15,780 ft) into Chile.
