Now I don´t have to go to Arizona.

Trip Start Aug 31, 2008
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Trip End Feb 02, 2009


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Flag of Argentina  ,
Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Tilcaraīs a great deal smaller than Jujuy, an unassuming place in the Quebrada (gorge/canyon area) of Northwest Argentina. It boasts some pre-Incan ruins (nope, didnīt go) and a highly recommended archaeological museum (couldnīt get to that either) as well as remarkable surroudings, multicolored mountains, and skeptical residents. Our hostel was a little hike from the center of town, but worth it for the quiet and its proximity to an abandoned train station, with the ticket office being occupied by a family and the water tower still intact. Tilcara has a bustling peņa (local music bars where predominately traditional live music is played while folks eat and drink)scene (we only went to one in the day time while no one was playing anything) and an attractive town square with the usual handicrafts.
We hopped on a bus after checking into our hostel, and arrived in Purmamarca (a smaller town down the Route 9 from Tilcara) to see the infamous Cerra de Siete Colores. I couldnīt pin all seven colors down exactly, but the entire mountain range was breathtaking, and certainly worth the trip. A paved road snakes through the range, offering a wide range of photo oppurtunities, especially of grumpy campesinos that donīt want their picture taken. I canīt tell you how eeriely the scenery reminded me of Monument Valley and other famous places in the American West (or at least the photographs Iīve seen of them), complete with wild horses and majestic cactus. A really otherworldly place. Everything you see could be a painting.
We also stopped by the 17th century church in Purmamarca (closed of course), but Iīd heartily recommend a trip there to anyone considering.
The electricity had been restored in our hostel by the time we got back (out when we arrived), and we enjoyed talking to a couple from Holland/Suriname (they spoke perfect english, of course).

Lookie Lookie! Finally pictures, worth your time I promise. Click HERE for Tilcara,and our hostel at the abandoned train station.
Click HEREfor Purmamarca pictures (multicolored mountains and stuff).
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