--> Re-written.
I continued my journey from Salta to San Miguel the Capital of Tucumán Province. I´m still not sure why I picked it in first place but I think I did to split the Journey between Salta and Cordoba since that would've been around 13 hours journey in the bus.
I took me around 6 hours to arrive with the bus as we were stopped by the police twice, and the second time they took every single passenger out of the bus and checked every single piece of luggage before allow us to continue the journey. The presence of the dogs indicated that they were looking for drugs mainly (but also illegally imported goods as it was pointed out to me later).
Few hours later, we arrived in the capital of Tucuman. Initially, I wanted to book an AirBnb as I wasnt feeling much of socializing but because getting here was a last minute decision, I didnt have time to sort it out. For that reason I end up crashing in a random hostel for the first night.
Next day first thing in the morning I sorted a nice airbnb in the city center and start exploring the city.
That city is very important in the history of Argentina because that is where they signed the independance of Argentina in 1816, and every year for one day (9th July) the capital of the country is moved in San Miguel, so I visited the Historic house of Independance which gave me a nice inside of the situation during that period.
In general I was lucky to meet plenty of locals during my stay and also had the luck of seeing the city from their point of view. Even thought it is not the most amazing place, besides the Historic house of Independance I only enjoyed a small art gallery and a couple of buildings with nice architecture.
One of them I must admit it is one of the nicest buildings I have ever seen which is the house of the Governor. Very beautifull with nice lightning at night, located in the most centric plaza of the City.
In general it feels like a very busy city. Even though it is smaller province than Salta, the atmosphere is not easy going or relaxed and you can see it everywhere, from taxi drivers to restaurants and people on the streers. Having said that, people are still nice and warm as in the rest of the country.. if not more.
Now, the four nights spent there, were mainly focused on getting to know the culture, so as I said I had the luck to meet few locals and try alot of thing of the local cuisine.
Empanadas: Even though they can be found everywhere in Argentina, in Tucuman they claim to have the absolute best and they call Tucuman the city of Empanadas (right or wrong.. who knows), these "pasties" are stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese and can be a little bit spicy or not at all. To be honest I tried empanadas from many vendors in the cry and I lovedall of them.
Asado: Even though I tried that in other cities I had to try here too. No much difference, too much beef, well cooked but with some cow's pieces I cannot really eat. Very delicious with very reasonable prices. My absolute favourite piece of the Asado so far is the Black sausage (similar to black pudding) called Morzillo.
Achilata: A locals sorbet ice-cream. For me it tasted rose, the locals insist it tastes fruitty. Doesn't really mater. Very tasty... Amazing ice-cream.
Panchuque: A street food which is a essentially a hot-dog in crispy pancake. Worth trying I enjoyed it but definitelly they have better food to consume.
Last but not least.. Mate (Μάτε): This is a whole ceremony and a widespread abit for the Argentinians, you see them drink it everywhere... all day. It is a type of tea you mix in a small pot and it is meant to be shared.
Even though there are plenty of pot sizes, normally the one they carry everywhere can contain enough liquid for one big or two sips. The base of the tea is "yerba mate" and you can buy one plain or with a slight different smell (lemon, orange, mint etc.) but the taste doesnt really change and it is very bittery. I liked it and gota pot of my own. You take the pot, empty it and hand it to be filled again and passed to the next one. You have to empty it though.
Finally I got the luck to enjoy much of the nighlife here, they have lots of nice bars and pubs and also some interesting drinks to go for.
Fernet: It's an italian drink but very popular here, it is THE drink to try in Argentina as the locals love it. They normally mix it with coke. Terrible taste and terrible hangover.. thats all :)
Sangria: Similar to the Spanish one but the only type of fruit the put here is lemon, so it is very sour. I love sour taste so I must admit I enjoyed it more than the spanish/portugues sangria.
Last day in the city, I decided to do something more active. There was a hike available very close in the city, San Javier Hill. The beggining of the hike was close to one of the local friend's house so we went to her house to prepare the stuff we were taking and from there of to hike. That was actualy the first experience I had in visiting locals house in neigbourhoods outside the cities.
So, we prepared the stuff and left for the hill. It took us almost the whole day for the trip, the hike itself was way different than the one in cafayate as we were in the forest here. There was alot of naturearound me to to shoot and that delayed us a little bit.
At the top of the hill, there was a nice lake where people were using as a picnic area. That place setup and the smell reminded me alot of picnic areas in Cyprus. Smell of the barbeque everywhere... yummy....
In overall the hiking took most of the day out, in the end I only had time to eat before I catch my bus for the next destination which was Cordoba. It was an 8 hour trip so lucky me I was so tired from the hike and I didnt feel a thing. I Caught the bus shortly after 12 midnight and did not wake up until we arrived there, shortly before 9 in the morning.
Anyhow, writting from Cordoba now, second biggest city in Argentina...
I continued my journey from Salta to San Miguel the Capital of Tucumán Province. I´m still not sure why I picked it in first place but I think I did to split the Journey between Salta and Cordoba since that would've been around 13 hours journey in the bus.
I took me around 6 hours to arrive with the bus as we were stopped by the police twice, and the second time they took every single passenger out of the bus and checked every single piece of luggage before allow us to continue the journey. The presence of the dogs indicated that they were looking for drugs mainly (but also illegally imported goods as it was pointed out to me later).
Few hours later, we arrived in the capital of Tucuman. Initially, I wanted to book an AirBnb as I wasnt feeling much of socializing but because getting here was a last minute decision, I didnt have time to sort it out. For that reason I end up crashing in a random hostel for the first night.
Next day first thing in the morning I sorted a nice airbnb in the city center and start exploring the city.
That city is very important in the history of Argentina because that is where they signed the independance of Argentina in 1816, and every year for one day (9th July) the capital of the country is moved in San Miguel, so I visited the Historic house of Independance which gave me a nice inside of the situation during that period.
In general I was lucky to meet plenty of locals during my stay and also had the luck of seeing the city from their point of view. Even thought it is not the most amazing place, besides the Historic house of Independance I only enjoyed a small art gallery and a couple of buildings with nice architecture.
One of them I must admit it is one of the nicest buildings I have ever seen which is the house of the Governor. Very beautifull with nice lightning at night, located in the most centric plaza of the City.
 | |
| Governor's house (not my shot) |
Now, the four nights spent there, were mainly focused on getting to know the culture, so as I said I had the luck to meet few locals and try alot of thing of the local cuisine.
Empanadas: Even though they can be found everywhere in Argentina, in Tucuman they claim to have the absolute best and they call Tucuman the city of Empanadas (right or wrong.. who knows), these "pasties" are stuffed with beef, chicken or cheese and can be a little bit spicy or not at all. To be honest I tried empanadas from many vendors in the cry and I lovedall of them.
 |
| Empanadas Carne (not my shot) |
 |
| Asado as served |
 | |
| Achilata |
Panchuque: A street food which is a essentially a hot-dog in crispy pancake. Worth trying I enjoyed it but definitelly they have better food to consume.
 |
| Panchuque |
Last but not least.. Mate (Μάτε): This is a whole ceremony and a widespread abit for the Argentinians, you see them drink it everywhere... all day. It is a type of tea you mix in a small pot and it is meant to be shared.
Even though there are plenty of pot sizes, normally the one they carry everywhere can contain enough liquid for one big or two sips. The base of the tea is "yerba mate" and you can buy one plain or with a slight different smell (lemon, orange, mint etc.) but the taste doesnt really change and it is very bittery. I liked it and gota pot of my own. You take the pot, empty it and hand it to be filled again and passed to the next one. You have to empty it though.
 |
| Mate |
Finally I got the luck to enjoy much of the nighlife here, they have lots of nice bars and pubs and also some interesting drinks to go for.
Fernet: It's an italian drink but very popular here, it is THE drink to try in Argentina as the locals love it. They normally mix it with coke. Terrible taste and terrible hangover.. thats all :)
Sangria: Similar to the Spanish one but the only type of fruit the put here is lemon, so it is very sour. I love sour taste so I must admit I enjoyed it more than the spanish/portugues sangria.
Last day in the city, I decided to do something more active. There was a hike available very close in the city, San Javier Hill. The beggining of the hike was close to one of the local friend's house so we went to her house to prepare the stuff we were taking and from there of to hike. That was actualy the first experience I had in visiting locals house in neigbourhoods outside the cities.
So, we prepared the stuff and left for the hill. It took us almost the whole day for the trip, the hike itself was way different than the one in cafayate as we were in the forest here. There was alot of naturearound me to to shoot and that delayed us a little bit.
 | |
| Natural stairs in the San Javier Hike |
At the top of the hill, there was a nice lake where people were using as a picnic area. That place setup and the smell reminded me alot of picnic areas in Cyprus. Smell of the barbeque everywhere... yummy....
In overall the hiking took most of the day out, in the end I only had time to eat before I catch my bus for the next destination which was Cordoba. It was an 8 hour trip so lucky me I was so tired from the hike and I didnt feel a thing. I Caught the bus shortly after 12 midnight and did not wake up until we arrived there, shortly before 9 in the morning.
 |
| I was chasing butterflies for half an hour until I get a shot I liked |
Anyhow, writting from Cordoba now, second biggest city in Argentina...
 |
| The lake at the top of San Javier hill |
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