Celebrating sunset in Salta

Today was mostly spent in airports or flying, with a 5am start from Iguazu. The direct flight from there was cancelled so we had to fly back to Buenos Aires, then wait 3 hours for a flight to Salta, a small city in the NW.

We arrived there about 4, checked in, and had a walk around the old centre. It all looked quite cowboy western - an old Spanish colonial town. In the museum we saw a macabre exhibit - the body of a 7 year old boy who had been buried alive in Inca times. He was one of three children found buried on a mountain top over 6000m high, with all he'd need for the new life among the gods. The artefacts buried with the children were exquisite - tiny gold llamas, beautifully woven cloth and hunting slings. (The girl had a cooking pot- no change there then.) His body was preserved because of the high altitude and is now in a glass case which is kept at a certain temperature. Years ago we saw remains of adults preserved by the sand and dry wind on the altiplano in Peru.

Recovering from that, we took a cable car up to the top of a hill for a view of the city, and to enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine provided by the guide to welcome us to his home town. then it was a half hour walk down steep steps back to the hotel, a quick shower and out at 8.30 for dinner.

A lie in tomorrow - we don't leave till 8.30 for Tilcara!