Salta, Argentina

Today I need to do a few jobs, one of the most exciting days is Laundry day when you are travelling. You get your whole wardrobe back all fresh smelling and neatly folded, it’s a little thing that makes me skip to the Lavanderia. I also have a slight issue with my phone, the screen is lifting up at the top so I can see the inside of the phone. I have an elastic band trying to hold it tight but I am going to try and take it into a repair shop to get it fixed before I go to the dusty Atacama desert. I find a really small shop in the northern part of the city, and the guy seems genuine enough when he says he can repair for £10 and be done by 9pm. A whole day without my phone, definitely is my life so I hope it is ok. The Cathedral in Salta is such a pretty building that I am keen to have a look inside. The outside is a sugary pink colour and it reminds me of a fondant fancy. The inside is very grand and a painted ceiling leading to a gold shimmery altar. There is the traditional (slightly kitch) doll representing the Virgin Mary. The Cathedral also houses the tomb of Martín Miguel de Güemes who was a military leader who defended northwestern Argentina from the Spanish during the Argentine War of Independence. It is starting to warm up and as I walk down to San Martin park, I feel an ice cream is needed. There are plenty around, so I stop for 3 scoops. Chocolate, raspberry and a delicious apple sorbet. The park is a bit barren compared to other city parks but I am assuming the climate makes a difference here. From here I can take a cable car up to Cerro San Bernado where you can get a panoramic view of the city. It is a big city and I can easily pick out the sugar coloured churches I have visited. From the top you can walk down the hill, it’s a fair few hundred steps but good exercise. I don’t envy those climbing up as I pass them. Tonight I skip to pick up my laundry and then my phone. Bad news on the phone, the screen was lifting as the battery is overheating and expanding. Ernesto can put a new battery in but needs another day, it needs fixing so I agree and wander back to the hostel without it. Laundry smells good, and they have threaded string through my smalls to ensure none are lost = genius!