070403 - As much as we can

Cafayate, ARG - "Sorry, you guys are going to the ruins of Quilmes?" First thing I asked when I got of the bus in Amaichá del Valle. Indeed, Sergio and Chelo where headed the same direction. We teamed up, organized a cab and got ourselves a ride to the ruins and on to Cafayate.
The ruins of Quilmes are in a pretty amazing setting. Built into a mountain side the tribe withstood the Inca and then the Spanish domination before being "tried out", which means some Spanish general cut off their water supplies, so eventually they had to surrender. Of the 2,500members that had to march from there to Buenos Aires only some 400 arrived...

Cafayate is a beautiful town. When we got there the superfriendly host "sold" us pretty much all the trips in a way we hardly could turn down. We had about an hour to eat before setting out to a hike along the beautiful Rio Colorado. It was nice... but 15people? Come on, you feel like on a school's field trip.
Next morning we took advantage of a free "wine and cheese"-tour. Kinda strange to have a buzz already at 11 o'clock in the morning. Oh well...
In the afternoon we went on another excursion through the beautiful Quebrada de las Conchas. But 40 some people... it seemed to be getting more every trip. For the evening we had planned to take the bus from some random place to Salta. Until somebody screamed: "Wo is going to Salta? The Bus is coming!!!" As I am sprinting down from the Garganta del Diablo I see the bus driving by... Bummer! But luckily there was another one coming shortly after with plenty of room... ;o)