Cafayate to Salta

The trip out of the Ruines De Quilmes was less fun; I walked (still burdened by my 60 pounds of backpack) a out a third of the way out before a motorist, after first ignoring my thumb in the air, actually turned around and came back to pick me up.

Unfortunately, once we meant the paved road he turned right and went I went left where I found myself a hitch hiking spot beside the Quilmes entrance sign.

I stood there for perhaps two hours before a native of a nearby town offered me a place in the back of his pick-up truck.

Once in town it was less than thirty minutes before I caught a bus to Cafayate and quickly found a hostel near “El Centro”.  Cafayate is another little jewel of a town. Not only is Cafayate itself known for its arts and crafts, wineries, colonial flavor, restaurants and spirit, but the surrounding area has a host of natural wonders well deserving 3-4 days of relaxed exploring.

As a side note, the largest golf course in all of South America is in the process of being built just outside of Cafayate; this is no good news for Cafayate, but the face of Cafayate will be changed forever.

That evening, perhaps in an effort capture a “taste” of Cafayate as it is today I roamed the art studio’s, photographed the lighted colonial church and finished the evening off with a great fish dinner.  (I know that Argentina is famous for its steaks, but I just can’t get away from the GREAT fish).

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The next day I bused from Cafayate to Salta and passed through the beautiful Valley of the Río las Conchas also known as the Quebrada de Cafayate.  I looked in awe at the beauty of the region and did my best to capture some photos, but I knew that at best they would only help to preserve my own memories and provide no real photos of quality (this not an apology, but rather a sorrowful statement of fact).

As Ben Franklin put it, “haste makes waste”, and in several instances (Cafayate being one of the most glaring among them) I have wasted great opportunities.

I have by choice always tended to steer away (as I have mentioned in the past) from doing a great deal of research; in favor instead, of discovering for myself and not being influenced by the writings and comments of others.  I still support this mission, but the strength of my cause is waning.

In retrospect, if I had it to do over again (and I just might!); I would make sure that I was in more control of my own destiny by driving a car, riding a motorcycle or renting either of the same.

In addition, I would encourage any of you prospective travelers to – do less and enjoy more.  By that I mean that I now believe that I would have better off to have limited the breadth of my travel and make to or three separate sojourns rather than try “cram everything into a limited amount of time.

The Europeans, Israelis are mega-leaps ahead travelers from the USA; it’s amazing how many of them tell me that they have been on the road for four to six weeks and are only a third to half-way through their travels.