Note to Self

Che, amigos! I'm back! And I've got some important things to note (for my own sake and for any of you that would care to know) about my last weekend trip to the provinces of Salta and Jujuy (pronounced hu-hu-ie) in northern Argentina. They are as follows:

#1: Sometimes living life on the edge requires literally living on the edge.
I can't even count how many times this past weekend I felt like I was going to fall off the edge of a cliff. We spent half our time up north traveling in minibus around sharp mountain curves and climbing up rocky mountain trails that dropped off to nothingness on one (or both) sides. Talk about a rush. You would need at least 12 waivers signed in the States to do the trekking that we did this weekend. But the views we saw after getting to the top of those mountains made the possible near death experiences we went through to get there totally worth it : )

#2: Cabin does not always = rustic.
They told us we would be staying in cabins this weekend. I don't know about you, but when I think cabin I think bare wood walls and ceilings, bunk bed cots, and... well that's about it. This trip proved to me that they can be oh so much more. The "cabins" we stayed in came complete with 2 twins beds (including comforter, pillows, and head board), a day bed with a trundle, a wood burning fireplace, our own kitchenette and bathroom, hot running water, a TV, and our own personal patio. Ridiculous. Not even my house in Córdoba turns out hot water immediately when I turn on the tap. I was in heaven.

#3: Put sunscreen on back of knees.

The first day of our trip we traveled to las Salinas Grandes, the huge salt flats of Jujuy, and although the wind was blowing and made it feel cooler, I came to realize later that the sun is strong and reflects off the white ground, providing me, and most of my trip-mates, with slightly awkward tans. It didn't matter that I hadn't put a drop of lotion on the rest of my legs... only the backs of my knees ended up burnt to a crisp. But getting to taste salt straight from the ground and watch people jump over pools of water so full of salt it looked frozen made the sunburns totally worth it.

#4: Learn more about indigenous cultures.

This trip was filled with visits to ancient ruins, strolling through open air markets, and looking through booths filled with native art pieces, clothing and jewelry. The landscapes of northern Argentina may be similar to those of the western United States but it's the culture that makes the area so distinctive and beautiful. I've officially fallen in love with native Argentine culture, and I wish I could have spent more time there witnessing it first hand.

#5: Mate really can be shared anywhere.

Of course I already knew that people here bring all the ingredients to make mate (that's the mate cup, straw, yerba, sugar, hot water thermos and usually something else sweet to snack on) to all sorts of different places around town. What I didn't realize is that Argentines are willing to take it anywhere... that is, on the bus, to the top of a mountain, in the midst of ancient Incan ruins... anywhere. You name a place where Argentines can go and I will bet you they've taken their mate there and sat down to drink a few and pass it around. 

#6: There really are still people in the world that live without internet, cars, or electricity.
On Sunday we drove 47 km in 3 hours on an extremely bumpy dirt road and finally arrived at the small town of Iruya, which is located on the side of a mountain. While there, our guide informed us that the road we drove in on is the only access that exists into that town and when it rains and the river floods the city is completely cut off from civilization. What's more, there are other cities farther off than Iruya that can only be accessed by traveling 2 more hours on foot and as such, have very little access to the technology that the majority of us are so accustomed to. It's hard to picture anyone living with so little contact with the outside world, especially nowadays, in a country such as Argentina that has cities very similar to large cities in the States. When the internet goes out in my house I have a mini-break down and feel completely cut off from the world. Now I realize that I have no idea what being "cut off from the world" really means.

#7: Altitude sickness is REAL. And leaves from the cocaine plant (which are perfectly legal here and provide no weird side effects) actually work to combat that sickness.

The first day I followed our tour guide's recommendation, tried the leaves, and felt perfectly fine despite traveling up a 13,000 foot mountain and back. The second day I neglected to use them and spent the whole night feeling sick to my stomach every time I would so much as roll over in bed. Talk about vertigo. Not fun.

#8: It's true, llamas do spit.

One morning, we woke up to a front lawn full of grazing llamas. Apparently someone let them out of their pasture that morning and let them roam free around the cabins. Many of us got up close and personal experiences with these llamas and let me tell you, they don't particularly like it when you invade their personal space, and spitting is definitely a defense mechanism from what I can tell.

#9: Buy a hammock.

I spent our third afternoon in Jujuy napping on a hammock in the sun outside our cabin. I'm now convinced that if I had one of these things in my life back in the States I would be an immensely more relaxed person.

#10: Spend more time around babbling brooks and waterfalls.

During this trip we spent a morning trekking through a gorge alongside a small river and ended up at the beautiful Garganta del Diablo (distinct from the waterfall of the same name in Iguazu). Once again, I believe if I could do this kind of thing more in my everyday life I would be a much happier person.

#11: Neither a toilet nor toilet paper constitute a usable bathroom.
I distinctly remember being completely disgusted and terrified when my family had to stop on the side of the road to "take care of business" on vacation years ago. Now I can confidently say that I have overcome that fear, and what's more, I've come to a point of acceptance. Between the boliches, the long highways without gas stations, and even the public restrooms on campus, I've learned to be thankful that I even have a toilet. And toilet paper is just an added luxury.

#12: Possibly most importantly, though, this weekend taught me how much I love my home, and my home away from home.
Since I've gotten back I've spent long hours talking, laughing, and reminiscing with my real family (via Skype) and my host family here in Córdoba and I've come to realize that I really don't know what I'd do without them. Traveling is an adventure. It provides you with unbelievable experiences that you'll never forget. But, eventually I'll always need to come home to relax, collect my thoughts, and remind myself of what really matters in my life. And in my case, home is in two different places at the moment. I guess that means all the more people/places to set my clock right again. Lucky? Yeah I think I am : )