Salta Argentina.....

So since winter here is pretty boring as most everyone else is still in school and the city sort of 'hibernates' we decided to check out a place that was definately on our list of places in Argentina we needed to check out.. Salta, Argentina.. We had seen the salt flats in Peru and we were eager to compare the two..  We were also eager to try the food!!!  empanada, tamales and humitas.. 

so let's just see the pictures shall we:)

 we cares that we arrive at 11 pm.. :)  by far the best tamales I have ever eaten in my 41 years on this planet.. best..

 

 

 

 

 

 

to see the splendor of the city.. you have to ride the cable car UP the mountain!!

once there your mom and dad take goofy pictures of you..

and then you enjoy the view..

so to see Salta and the salt flats you have to take a bus tour.. usually about 12 hours or so on a bus.. many stops.. Scott makes sure we don't just take any old bus.. this was a monster..

our first stop was for breakfast on what could have been the windiest part of the world!!!

So after 1/2 day we finally make it to the salt flats.. thank god Scott got photos as I was so very sick during the bus trip.. fever/earache/throat pain and the altitude got the best of me for sure..

The salt flats go on for 80 square miles!!!!  Cora and Nola had fun with that!!  the photography is great!!  and it is BRIGHT WHITE..

so very different that the salt flats in Peru.. which were used for salt you consume.. the salt in salta we weren't able to buy to use for consumption.. mostly in sculptures..

examples of sculptures above!!  LOL.. kids made not of salt..

so while I slept the ride down the mountain, Scott and the kids had a blast sticking their heads out the top of the monster truck!!!!  nothing like freezing your face!!

I think Scott had the most fun!!

I did get to try it once.. let me tell you.. its COLD..

The Hill of Seven Colors!  this was the last stop and I am glad i felt better by this time.. the small town at the base was a wonderful place to shop for local crafts and feel the culture of the people living among the mountains

the winding road down the hill.. not for the faint of heart..

because I torture my family I make them tour churches all of the time.. it is hard not to when they are stunningly beautiful.. we did two churches and a great museum in the square where we stayed.. all of them were amazing..

The inside of the church.. the ceilings are just painted.. it looks 3d but it is all just paint.. amazing close up!!

the Patio de la Empanadas.. 7 small empanada shops that when you approach the owners basically attack you and try to get you to sit in their sections!!  LOL.. thank god we read the reviews and were prepared.. tried 4 out of 7.. we would like to give this public service announcement that you always get them fried.. always go with fried empanadas.. :)

meat, chicken, beef jerky.. it doesn't get better

because Salta can be a bit boring for kids (think 14 hours on a BUS).. Scott arranged a few fun things.. including making empanadas at Finca Valentin, a private home settled just outside of Salta at the foot of the mountains..

rolling the dough was super fun!!!

all of our spanish paid off as Maria spoke no english!!  we made it though

the results were awesome!!!

just let's say the basket wasn't full for long!!

to finish our trip, this was about our 87 millionth empanada shop.. and the last.. and the best!!!  but, buttttt

I couldn't eat another empanada.. so I went for the traditional Argentine dish of Locro.. http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Classic-Locro-Hominy-Stew.. just in case you want to try and make this at home.. it was simply amazing..