North + Central Chile + Argentina

After spending a few days in Chile which I really enjoyed we moved onto Salta in Argentina. Dropping massive amounts in altitude for the first time in months, driving through the driest desert in the world and arriving into 37 degrees in a beautiful european style city. We could already see the buzz of Argentina. People wandering about the streets until all hours. Restaurants don't really open until 10 or so and at 2 in the morning people are still eating. Night clubs and a lot of bars would be empty until about 2 and then they get busy. Plus the steak. Have heard all about this before I came to Argentina and was really looking forward to it but honestly in the first two weeks there we kinda struggled to live up to the lifestyle properly. After been used to getting up so early for most of the time in Bolivia it was worse than jetlag adjusting plus the fact that it was so hot. I've been in above 40 degrees before which has been fine, or humidity in places like Thailand that you get used to but here at 36 and 37 degrees with humidity it kept tiring us out everyday. One day we got into a taxi and the thermometer in the car actually said 51 degrees.

So a lot of Argentina for us was just relaxing and lazying about. Its so european it just felt like been back at home or in Europe. And because it didn't feel so much different there wasn't much to write about. It was nice to get back to the luxuries of a normal country though as well. Been able to drink tap water is one of the things I love which sounds stupid. Been able to cook our own meals instead of eating out all the time.

I had been so looking forward to the food and finding a big supermarket to cook but we couldnt find any big supermarkets that stocked everything but there was no lack to big ass steaks and they were so cheap.

So we travelled from Salta to Cordoba to Mendoza. Mendoza did a wine tour where you cycle around on bikes.

From Mendoza we got a bus across very scenic Andes on a day trip to get to Valpariso and Vina del Mar which is about two hours from Santiago. On the coast we heard this was the place to spend New Yrs. So far I am very very impressed with Chile. I love the food here. The night life and the lifestyle. People are so friendly. Not that I'm saying Argentinians aren't I just havn't met too many yet there cause we were so lazy. Chile is also another really modern country. Everybody seems to speak English here which is shocking. Even an old man that we asked for directions who looked about 70 spoke to us in English. We could be standing on the street looking for a map and someone would come up to us and offer us help in where we are going. Plus we found this massive supermarket. It had everything and I mean everything you could want so did a crazy amount of shopping. They even had Kerrygold butter!! The only problem is the prices. A lot of Chile is the same price as Ireland. Argentina is also really expensive like more so than Spain, Portugal or Germany for travelling in but its cheaper than Ireland. But Chile is Irish prices for a lot of stuff which is rare.

A lot of our group got back together for Xmas and we got a really nice hostel not so far from the beach. Myself Adrian and two Australian guys cooked a big dinner for Xmas day and then spent the rest of the night going out and drinking. Like Ireland I'm pretty sure the bars are closed on Xmas day but unlike Ireland they were able to open after midnight and go until 5 in the morning so we didn't head out until 2 and had a great night!! This lasted for a whole week non stop.

After Xmas 6 of us moved to an apt in Valpariso. Big place with a pool which we still havnt checked out as I'm writing this! Again we are been lazy. Just chilling out and eating lots of food and drinking! Enjoying having our own place for a while. Like moving into a house!!

We stayed on here for another few weeks in which we had a great New Yrs and New Yrs day and I proceeded to break my wrist. Some pretty interesting stories but I might wait until I get quicker at typing with one hand to finish it all off!!

Happy New Year to everyone.

Photos