Aire puro: Alta Gracia

I love city life: la energia, las luces, los ruidos, y la personalidad en los edificios energy, the lights, the noises, and the personality in the buildings.

But I grew-up on five acres. I climbed trees and rolled in the grass.

So Cordoba was an absolutely necessary trip. A nine hour bus ride from Buenos Aires, the second biggest city is nestled into the Sierra Mountains. From the city, it's an easy trip to hiking, skydiving, mountain biking, and more.

We arrived at Baluch Backpackers Hostel early, after our bus got in an hour early. We got some rest and then decided to figure out our three days. We decided on going to Alta Gracia Saturday, going trekking in the Condoritos National Park Sunday, and then going to Villa General Belgrano/La Cumbrecita Monday for some German town time and waterfalls.

We grabbed some breakfast, and managed to see some fellow hostelers in their boxer briefs...Ashley and I have mastered the eye darting quite well. After that awkward moment, we caught the bus to Alta Gracia.

Immediately departing, it was clear we were in the countryside where rich people live, and then commute. The houses were massive. And we were headed to a special house indeed: Che Guevera. He grew up quite well off, despite his political thoughts.



His house was quite cute....but with the gringo rate, cost 75 pesos (nearly 20 USD) to enter. We sadly passed and instead walked around enjoying the fresh air and the cheap prices (thank you exchange rate). We also saw a Jesuit Estancia. There are several Jesuit Estancias around the Cordoba province. The Estancias founded the province, and while the Jesuits made wine and had small farms.

View of the hills

Main Clocktower

Corner of Estancia

Inside the Estancia, in the garden area

We caught a bus back and hung out with fellow hostelers at night. We met more Israelis (it's very popular for them to travel over here), a couple on a year-long adventure, and some Californians. We swapped stories, advice, and enjoyed some Malbec.

This was at a restaurant we ate at...YES Ravioles Fritos is Fried Ravioli
As we slept, we had little idea of what was brewing above us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Como Grecia

Image
It's not often the word idílico idyllic is used in it's true sense. With Greek roots, the word is often used to described the Greek Isles.  Piriapolis in Uruguay is obviously a Greek name for this little beach town, and for good reason - it was idílico . We simply wanted to lay and soak in the sun. Busy, but not crowded, we manged to find a perfect spot on the beach.  We watched the white caps on the ocean, and admired the very Greek-like hill and houses in the distance. The water was warm, the waves were strong, and the smell of salt was all too inviting.  Piriapolis is a place to retire, and I honestly say I could.
Read more

Palacio Barolo

Image
I feel like I belong in a Dr. Seuss book - from here to there to everywhere, trying to check everything off our lists before we leave. Must do: Palacio Barolo, former tallest building in Buenos Aires with intense symbolic and literary architecture. Dante's Inferno is the inspiration for how the building what constructed and how the statutes were carved. There's even free mason symbols. A Friday evening we showed up and began our visitada guiada tour with a dapper tour guide. Unlike other tours we have taken, this one was quite excellent. We started in the lobby of the building... After a classic elevator ride, we landed in the next ring of Dante's Inferno. We went up as high as the elevator would go and then climbed six flight of stairs to the first lookout. If I hadn't been in love with Argentina yet, this view sealed the deal. Up we went one more flight and saw some old typewriters from the building and peered out the little window
Read more

La valle de vino: Mendoza

Image
Cielos con sol, alergias malas y muchas fuentes. Sunny skies, bad allergies and many fountains. Our Media Trip to Mendoza was part of our program, meaning Carolina was coming with us, a nice hotel, and planes. Oh, the luxurious ways of traveling. We landed in the desert of Mendoza in early afternoon. It hardly ever has rain, which makes it perfect for growing the Malbec grapes. It was a clear day, but not refreshing. As soon as we got to the hotel, we already noticed problems with our allergies. The city has many trees to try and help the problem, but our city bodies just couldn't handle all the fall air. After check-in and a rest, we went to the media conglomerate for a tour and meeting, Diario Uno. It is made up of a daily newspaper, an online version, a TV station and a radio station. We discussed the media climate in Mendoza, which is relatively free of the controlling government advertisements. It was the most zen building I have ever seen for a newsroom and very pretty
Read more