Visa & Salta, Argentina

Awhile back, I had to go to the Bolivian consulate in Salta, Argentina, to apply for an extension of my visa, since my work permit application is still being processed in La Paz, and my current tourist visa was expiring. 

There is a shuttle service from Tarija to Salta, that leaves at 4 am every morning. The morning I left it was freezing (-8°C) and got was it cold in the shuttle bus. I was sitting at the site of the door and immediately regarded not bringing blanket or extra jacket. After an hour, I was lucky that the lady next to me gave me her extra blanket, as she shared the other one with her daughter.

The drive to Salta was nice. Right after the border with Bolivia, you have much better farmland, and right away I understood why Argentina conquered this large valley during the Gran Chaco War (1932-1935). (Actually, Bolivia lost a lot of its territory during the last 200 years to all its neighboring countries Peru, Chili, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay)

When I arrived in Salta, it was snowing and it remained cold, gray and snowing for 4 days!! During the day it remained around zero and at night around minus ten Celsius! And I thought I went to the tropics ;-) It actually happened to turn out to be one of the coldest winters in Argentina and Bolivia since decades.

As I caught a cold, I didn’t see much of Salta. I did of course apply for my visa, which took 3 days to process (what else is new).

Besides visiting a mall, a movie theater, I visited some museums and bumped into Luis (Merieke’s husband, who both live in Tarija as well and are my friends). I was walking down the shopping street in the evening, when I heard someone call what I thought was my name. Since I didn’t know anyone in Salta, I thought I heard wrong, till I heard my name again. Surprised I looked over my shoulder, only to see Luis. He was only in town that evening to pick up Merieke from the airport (vacation in Holland), but her flight got canceled due to the bad weather and snow. Talk about a coincidence!! That we just happen to bump into each other that night. However, it was a great surprise and we both went out for a big famous Argentinian steak!!! The best steak ever!!! Big and juicy, just like butter!!

The other days I did a bit of shopping, however, I was a bit disappointed with the city and it’s facilities. People always say that Chili and Argentina are more developed and more modern than the surrounding countries, but frankly, Salta is not. Later I was told that the north of Argentina is a bit subordinated in comparison to the rest of the country, and as such, the infrastructure, etc. is lacking behind that of the rest of the country.

But it was good to get out of Tarija for a few days and see a bit of Argentina. I enjoyed the shopping mall, the big movie theater, the Carefour supermarket (although not to be compared to Europe, the selection was much smaller) the nice coffee bars with WIFI :-)

Here are some of the photos I took (click to enlarge them)

Photo from my hotel room, 4 days of overcast and snow

Salta sky line

Salta sky line

Hotel swimming pool on the roof (indoor)

Hotel swimming pool on the roof (outdoor), unfortunately too cold to use

Salta sky line

Salta sky line

Shopping street, felt a bit like Europe!!

Of course I had a coffee in the Van Gogh Cafe!!!

After the snow melted, an unique photo, a snowman at a plaza with palm trees

A very old hacienda, now turned into a museum

Lots of nice colonial architecture......

...... with here and there the need of some maintenance

Famous Argentine steak.... delicious!!!

My apartment

Here a few photos of my apartment. I haven't taken many yet, because I want to decorate it a bit more with some photos on the walls, plants, etc. Soon more photos.

My apartment is located on Calle Bolivar, across from Parque Bolivar. It is a nice location, and there are lots of activities in and around the park, fairs, markets, concerts, etc.

For all of you who like to see the exact location of my apartment, type in the following coordinates in Google Earth:

Latitude 21°32'7.07"S

Longitude 64°43'27.57"W

 

I was lucky to find a brand new apartment complex, everything is new.

Moving in.... everything is brand new, and a great view of the park.

 

First nights at the apartment, with only a mattress

Felt a bit like camping in the old days, cold showers, etc.

My apartment on the 2rd floor (3rd floor for Americans ;-)) on the left (all 3 windows on the left are my apartment) At that time, a new store was opening in my building ("Mi Salud") and they organized a little party for VIPs.

View at the fountain in the park, from my window. At that moment there was a little concert going on.

Another party, from cellular provider TIGO (photo from my roof terrass)

My apartment on the 2nd floor on the left

The party of "Mi Salud". They blocked of the road and all, with a live band, etc. (photo taken just before all people came)

They are setting up the stage for the party of "Mi Salud". On the right my car.

 

Off road Tarija

This time less text and more photos.

Last Saturday I went on a little off road trip outside and around Tarija, together with Pablo, the husband of my Spanish teacher. He just to be really into photography as well and knows alot of nice sites around Tarija.

It was a nice trip, with as always here, good weather, sun and blue sky. Currently it is winter (almost spring) here, so everything is quite dry and the rivers have little water...... but it is still nice and beautiful. Can't wait to see how things look all green and lush.

Here are some photos (in compressed and lower quality. Click on them to enlarge).

Lots of free parking space

Tarija's water reservoir

Lots of dusty sand roads, Tarija's surroundings are a desert climate