March 14, 2008 - Mendoza & San Juan, Argentina

March 14, 2008 - Mendoza, Argentina
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I woke up a little after 9 AM and was ready by 10. The breakfast was decent. I checked out after breakfast. I was heading to San Juan for a few days before returning to Mendoza again. I left my larger duffel bag at the Hotel until my return from San Juan.

I tried to get a taxi to the bus station. The taxi drivers were all on strike! Fine day to do it :) I took the only other option available and walked the 20 blocks to the bus terminus. Even the small bag and the camera bag were a burden to carry after 5 blocks! I made it to the bus terminus after 30 minutes.

I headed to the offices of the ANDESMAR bus company. They had services to San Juan. A Semi-cama would cost 18 pesos ($6) while a cama seat would cost me 22 pesos ($7.3). I chose Cama. The Cama seating was in the lower part of the double Decker bus. 9 seats in 3 rows with a 2-1 split for the aisle. I took the single seat. The leather covered seats were luxurious, reclined almost 180 degrees and were better or at least equal to Business class seats on Airlines. The Cama passengers were also served coffee and cookies during the ride. I skipped the coffee but ate the cookies. All this for a shockingly low price. I have to take this option (Cama) when I travel from Mendoza to Santiago (Chile).

The 2-hour plus journey was along the Andes range during which I read a bit and dozed a bit.

March 14, 2008 - San Juan, Argentina
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We reached San Juan around 2:30 PM. Hotel America was 2 blocks away from the bus terminal. Even the local taxi drivers suggested that I walk it. The front desk gal was the prettiest gal I had seen in Argentina (thus far). The hotel had free internet. I checked messages. The wine tour companies were uniformly expensive.

Like Salta and Mendoza, San Juan closes at 1 PM and opens at 5 PM!

I visited a number of tour agencies to explore the possibilities of visiting the Ischigulasto and Talampaya national parks during my 3-day stay in San Juan. I encountered the same problems as at Asuncion (Paraguay). They would not run tours for Single folks. As San Juan was off the main tourist tracks, the chances of me getting to see all that I came to see appeared remote. I may get to see Ischigulasto perhaps on Sunday (March 16).

I found an all-vegetarian place for dinner. The food was not great.

I have a free day in San Juan tomorrow.