After A few days in Buenos Aires it was time to head north overland towards Bolivia. This was the first bus trip in South America so I was to do some learning. From B.A to Salta it is well over 15 hours. Here are some things I learnt along the way:
- The bus terminals are quite well organized, in Buenos Aires there are departure platforms for over 50 buses. (don't get the bus/platform number confused with your seat number like I nearly did) If your are insure of anything there is a help desk and you find the locals eager to help also.
- Spanish words you may want to know: Salida/Departure Destination/Destino and of course the word for seat.
- There is a person who will put your luggage on the bus and give you a ticket corresponding to the tag they put on your luggage as a proof of ownership when you collect your bags afterwards. You will need some change to give this man a tip. Usually one or two pesos, so have some change. If your bag is heavy or you want special treatment you could give him more. Don't forget to tell him which town will be your point of departure.
- There are different kinds of busses ie: Cama and Semi Cama. A Cama style bus is the most comfortable with reclining seats (good for long hall or overnight trips)
- If you book in advance you may get a little discount and you will be able to choose which seat you would like. (If you have a keen secnse of smell you may want to avoid a seat near the toilet, or for other reasons you may want a seat close by!)
- Regarding the toilet there are some things you may want to know. Get in early it wont smell so bad. It is a chemical toilet and it is preferred you don't put toilet paper down the loo. If it is night time when you enter the toilet and close the door it will be dark, the light will automatically come on when you lock the door. Have your personal hand sanitizer handy as there may not be any soap. Just remember it could be worse!
- They have movies, it may be in english with spanish subtitles or in spanish with english subtitles. I was surprised by the content in that it was very violent.
- Food was provided. As a snack or breakfast a hot or cold drink with some biscuits. Dinner was some rice and meatball dish which was rather cold is reluctant to eat it in case I got sick, but I survived. There can be long stretches with out food. (After coffee and biscuits around 8am nothing else was provided and the we didn't arrive to Salta until about 330pm!) Unless you are on a diet I would advise you TAKE SOME SNACKS.
- They provided a blanket but you may want to have warm clothes close by or you own blanket also.
- Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Me looking out onto the changing landscape. The book I'm reading is The short History of Nearly Everything a very interesting read.
Having arrived in Salta I can see here as in Buenos Aires there is much history. This Building below I believe is a heritage site. Very very old.
After Having found the hotel and dumping my bags it was time to address the matter of eating (it was nearly 430pm and I still hadn't eaten since 8am! so hungry) I had some parilla for lunch/dinner served with bread salsa and some local beer (Salta negra) The Bread was dry as the serve it without butter, the meet was tasty and the beer delicious as it was nutritious.
After my long awaited lunch/dinner it was time for a siesta. When I awoke it was dark here are some photos of Salta by night
In the Morning It was time to depart at 530am. So there wasn't really much time for looking around. But from what I have seen of Salta it is a really nice place and walking around the streets and sitting in the plaza watching people go by I got the impression that this is a place where Argentineans come for a weekend away and some shopping, Salta has a good vibe about it which is very welcoming and laidback. If you stop at this town on your way to Bolivia you may want to spend more than just a day here. Don't forget to try the local beer if you do.
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