El Salto in the fog (Day 40)

Today I was heading for El Salto, the little town right close to Potrerillos (where I had stayed the night at Marcello's) where I was told there was a waterfall hike to die for. Partly because it was a heart-stopper of a hike and partly because it was just that beautiful. Unfortunately, today was the first overcast day I´ve had since I´ve been in Argentina. I wasn´t sure if the weather would hold, but figured I have a go and see what happened.


I went to the bus stop for the 09:40 bus and I waited. 09:40 came and went and when a different bus came along at 09:55, I asked when the next bus to El Salto was coming. I did think it odd when the bus driver told me the El Salto collectivo would be by around 09:40, but since I sometimes misunderstand the hours people tell me, I figured it was just late. Rather than just sit by the side of the road, I decided to start walking in the direction of El Salto and flag down the bus whenever it went by.



The rain finally started, so I stopped to pull out my jacket. A man wandered out and started chatting with me, asking where I was headed and why I wasn´t waiting for the bus. When I explained to him that the bus was supposed to come at 09:40 and it was already 10:00, he very kindly pointed out that Argentina had switched to dayligh saving time last night. Oops. Not only was the bus probably on time, but I had scammed myself out of 1hr extra sleep in a nice comfy bed. Grrr.



The bus did eventually come (and on time) and I made my way to El Salto. I stopped in to a nearby hostel for directions to the trail and after speaking with the host, it was apparent that today was not going to be a mountain hiking day. The clouds were low, so I would be hiking in the fog, solo, following an unmarked route in a valley. My better sense took hold (for once) and I decided I would have to wait to see this heart-stopper waterfall on another trip. When I walked out of the hostel, the bus back to Potrerillos and Mendoza was waiting just outside, so I took it as a sign to head back to the city. The bus driver stopped for me in Potrerillos so that I could try to say good-bye and Gracias to Marcello for all the help he's given me over the last week, but he was not home. I'll have to figure out a way to send him a thank-you note....

Back in Mendoza, I was welcomed back to the hostel (Casa Pueblo) where I had stayed a week earlier. I got the last available bed (thank you karma!), then had some time in the afternoon to run errands (exchange last Traveller's cheques, stock up on sunscreen and contact solution, groceries). I spent probably two hours going back and forth to telephone company kiosks, trying to figure out how to recharge my long-distance card, only to discover in the end that I wasn't going to be able to recharge it without an Argentine phone account-no go. I also spent some serious time in yet another Internet cafe (I should have bought stocks in Argentine Internet distribution before coming here- I'd be my own best customer!) trying to get up to date here. When I finally got too tired to type anymore, it was dark outside, so I hustled it back to the hostel safe and sound. I could barely keep my eyes open while I joined a group of Chilean guys who I'd been reunited with from my previous stay for a glass of wine. They made me write down the brand so I'd know what to bring back to Canada :) So, you may have a chance to try it too...