24/01/2006 - We spend the first part of the day waiting for the bus at the main square. It’s a great time to get a tane. I look like a lobster now. But it’s also the time to talk to some argentinians, pretty much all from Buenos Aires. I ask them about the 2001 crisis. How it is now compared to a few years ago. In general, they are quite pessimistic, although they love their country and many wouldn’t live anywhere else. Corruption, social security system that do not work, pollution etc… they realize it’s their job to change the country, but where to start. The task is massive. For example, cops do not like to give speeding tickets. They prefer to get a nice tip. If they give you a speeding ticket, it goes to the state, and they won’t get any money. I don’t make this up. It’s been told by several argentinians. I invite most of them to visit brussels when they come to Europe, but it’s very expensive for them. 1 peso used to be 1 dollar, now 3 pesos equal a dollar.

Time to leave, the road back to Humauaca is as beautiful. The weather is much nicer. Our red Gol is still there. We head to San Sanlvador de Jujuy. Not much to tell there. It’s just a very ugly city. No charm. If Salta is La Linda, Jujuy is la Fea. We stay at the Yok Mahi hostel. Recommended by the Routard. It’s not bad at all. Although some walls are very tired, leaks in the ceiling here and there, very basic kitchen, dorms are small and cramped. The staff is nice.

This entry was posted by Administrator on Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 at 1:12 pm and is filed under Petitpiet, Argentina.