La Rioja, Argentina

Wake up for breakfast, a typical Argentinian offering of fracturas which are sweet Danish pastries type things and coffee. I meet Pauline and Anna who are heading to Talampaya National park on the local bus tomorrow, so I am going to join them. It is mum’s birthday today so I give her a call. She is pleased with the flask I bought her, although it sounds a bit big for her walks. I think I sounded a little down, hopefully I haven’t worried her, seem to be a bit up and down lately as I find my rhythm as a solo traveller. Around midday I head out, first to the bus station to get my ticket for tomorrow and also Tuesdays transfer to Tucuman. It is about a 30minute walk but I have seriously not prepared for this heat. I left Mendoza in about 22c or 24c degrees and La Rioja is warmer around 28c. I manage to buy both tickets without issues, the park one is only £7 and the 8 hours to Tucuman is £28. I go back to the hostel via a ice cream shop to cool down. At the hostel I get chatting to a English couple, really interesting people, say late 40s who travel permanently now. This year for them is about weight loss as they are about 6 stone overweight. Slimming world is their chosen diet and they try to stay in places where they can exercise, they are well on track with a couple of stone already gone. I am quite amazed that this is possible travelling in these countries as my food choices are definitely not healthy….perhaps I should pay more attention to food options. They are eating a cabbage salad when Tabitha gives me a great quote…’ you know you are eating something healthy when your jaw hurts at the end of it!’ Tabitha and Nick are also going to Talampaya tomorrow, but also Ischigualasto park and are going with a local agency. This gets me thinking, a tour would be easier and I could see both parks but it is 10 times the price. As I go out late afternoon post midday heat, I think about the two options. Whilst the bus feels like the backpacker cheaper choice, I reckon the tour will be better and much less hassle. I figure that as I have come here to try and see the parks then I should just do the one I want and go for the tour. La Rioja itself is a pretty little town, with lots of statues it seems. I walk around the main area and view the Cathedral which is beautiful. The issue with today is that it is Sunday, as part of the long holiday weekend and everything feels shut down which is a shame. I head back via a Carrefour which I am amazed is open, buying lots of fruit and veg as part of my new health kick. I tell the girls I am taking the tour option, they are not offended but are shocked that I am wasting my £7 bus ticket.