Off to Salta!

The past week has been pretty busy with classes and work in preparation for our trip to the northwestern part of Argentina. Tomorrow morning we will fly to Salta, a city at the foothills of the Andes mountains. Tomorrow we will spend the day in Salta and then head to Jujuy on Friday. We will also visit Quebrada de Humahuaca and Tilcara on Friday. On Saturday we head to the Salinas Grandes (salt lakes!) and also vist Purmamarca and the mountain of seven colors. On Sunday we have plans to go zip-lining across a huge lake and then visit the MAAM museum with an incredibly preserved mummy from this area. We will fly back on Sunday night. I am looking forward to Friday and Saturday night, it is the two nights of carnaval. In the towns we will be staying in there is an open door policy. During these days, all the neighborhood opens their doors to anyone and everyone. They provide strangers with food, drink, and a place to sleep... talk about hospitality!
On Monday, me and five girl friends are heading to Punta del Este, Uruguay for Spring Break! We plan to lay on the beach, try surfing, and stay in a hostel. We are staying at the hostel "El Viajero- Brava Beach." One day we will head up to Cabo Polonio and spend a day there. I will return on Sunday night (March 13th) to Buenos Aires and resume classes on Monday.

In my free time I have been trying to find some good flavorful food. This past weekend, I went to a restaurant, Carlito's, which is supposed to be really good if you are in the mood for spice (which I always am, the food here is rather bland).

Below is the half-eaten lomo saltado de carne, papas huinachas, and arroz con pollo. It tasted a lot better than it looks :P

Another night, a few of us girls got together to make some spicy dinner: chicken tacos, guacamole, and a corn and red pepper salad. The vegetables are so fresh here but this dish is definitely not something you would find being made in Argentine households. 

Unfortunately, I have been taking my camera with me to fewer places lately. We have had two girls in our group be robbed. The first incident was inside the school cafeteria while we were all sitting together for lunch. We aren't sure how the robber did it without us realizing, but he took her entire book bag. It was a wake up call for most of us as we figured the school was more safe than outside. The thieves here are professionals. They learn how to pit-pocket and steal from the time they are born. I always wear my backpack in the front as they are known to cut the bottom of bags with razors as you are walking, allowing all of your belongings to fall out.
Another weird thing I have noticed here is the crazy driving! I thought Connecticut drivers were aggressive/bad! I witness at least one accident every morning walking to class. Pedestrians also do not have the right of way, even at crosswalks. I guess these are normal for a large city: thieves and crazy drivers.. however, it is pretty extreme here and a lot different than what I have experienced in NH or Charleston!