Have You Tried the Cheese and Olive Bar?

Although we've only been in South America for a week, my Spanish skills are already improving. Of course, Argentinians speak Spanish, but unlike many other backpacking meccas, the Argentinians we've met haven't spoken much English. At first, I was really excited about the opportunity to practice my Espanol. Then, I ran out of words, and it got harder to effectively communicate, and I had to put in more effort... to be honest, there have been a few occasions where I've gotten tuckered out and started speaking in English, hoping people would understand. Mea culpa, soy norteamericana (ie: forgive me, I'm from the land of the language-impaired).

My Spanish success stories involve checking room rates, renting a room, and even selling a room. Olga, the owner of Petite Hotel, knocked on my door, and motioned for me to follow her to the lobby. As it turns out, there was another language-impaired couple, in from London, who needed a room, and I was just the gal to sell it to them. The couple, originally from Turkey and South Africa, turned out to be super friendly and gave us all sorts of helpful information, including a hot tip on a cheese and olive bar downtown. They had Mark at salami and me at wine. We practically skipped the whole way there (which was the long way 'round, because we also happen to have a map deficiency; I know, poor us).

Thanks, Pariel and Eric, for the fantastic recommendation!

Wine tasting selection, near the back of the store

When we found the shop, we loaded up for our 31 hour bus ride from Iguazu Falls to Salta, Argentina. For $26, we filled a bag with a 1/2 kilo of fancy cheese (hehehe, metric impairment strikes again), a footlong salami (hey, when hunger strikes...), a jar of blue cheese stuffed mushrooms, and a mustard (as if these ingredients stood a chance of making it into a proper sandwich). These items got stashed with some sesame/flax crackers and whole oats bread. Oh, the meals are good when we travel.

Olives and spreads

Salami and cheese tasting counter--- mmm, delightfully chilled

Fancy cheeses, aging to perfection

Two days later, we passed along our newfound gem (O Salame Maluco) to some fellow foodies, 4 doctors from London (via Hong Kong, India, and treks all over the globe). They had just come in from Bolivia and swapped us for all sorts of helpful suggestions for the next segment of our trip. They told us to:

1. Take the Tigre bus line to Salta (it's como, "comfortable," and takes 31 hours for the bargain price of about $100 USD per person)

2. Go wine tasting in Cafeyette

3. Pack your long johns and wear all of your layers in Bolivia- seriously, it's cold... layer up, or you'll freeze to death

They were so inclusive and warm, we joined up for a nightly ritual of sharing bottles of wine and swapping travel stories on the patio. This is part of what makes traveling so special, meeting up with people you otherwise wouldn't meet and hearing about places you wouldn't otherwise have known about. And, you know us, if it has to do with food or the outdoors, we're in.

Hanging out with our new Dr. friends from London- congrats on completing your programs and best of luck as you begin practicing medicine

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