Day 11 April 2
ARGENTINA – CORDOBA
Bus from Santa Fe. Walked from the bus terminal to the hostel. This was Malvinas Day, a national holiday in Argentina celebrating the Argentine attempt to take over the Falkland Islands from the UK in 1982, a bad idea that didn’t turn out well. There were few places open to eat.
ON Hostel
Day 12 April 3
CORDOBA
JESUIT BLOCK and ESTANCIAS OF CORDOBA WHS. Consists of the cathedral, the University of Cordoba (1615), the first school (1687 that let in girls in 1998, now grades 7-12) and six estancias over a 250 km circle from Cordoba. The Jesuits were expelled in 1767 and returned in 1853. The library has over 6000 volumes.
Iglesia Compañía de Jesús. A single nave church with a vaulted arch ceiling shaped like a boat, all walls painted, a gilt altar and frescoes on the ceiling. First church in the Americas.
Latin American Craft Museum. Wow, don’t miss this museum with material from all over Latin America, making for a rather eclectic collection. Free
Paseo de las Artes. Handicraft market open Saturday and Sunday.
Museo Palacio Dionisi. Gorgeous palace with primarily photographic exhibits. Free
Emilio Caraffa Museum of Fine Arts. Argentinian art and bad contemporary art on two floors. Free
Evita Fine Arts Museum, Palacio Ferreyra. Another gorgeous palace, 3 floors without much of interest. Free
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón (Iglesia de los Capuchinos). Gorgeous facade of red brick and statues, a very tall spire, and mosaics. Closed until 4 pm.
Provincial Museum of Natural Sciences. Mega fauna, many stuffed animals, rocks and a good Da Vinci exhibit with many working models.
Zoológico de Córdoba. No longer a zoo with caged animals, it is now a park for walking. Free
Religious Art Museum Juan de Tejeda. In the cloister of the old Convent of San Jose. 2500
Cathedral of Cordoba. 1677. 3 nave, frescoed roof.
Monumento a San Martin. In the Plaza de San Martin, another equestrian statue on a grand 3-tier stone plinth.
Cordoba Museum of Memory. In an old police station, many photos and vignettes, a cell. Free
Centro Civico de Cordoba. 10-story building with a cement facade in geometric pattern divided into large triangles. Architectural Delights.
ON hostel
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Day 14 April 4
I left early to get the bus to Catamarca 9 am to 1 pm.
ARGENTINA – CATAMARCA
SAN FERNANDO del VALLE de CATAMARCA
Catamarca was the best-designed bus terminal in Argentina – supermarket, luggage storage, large eating area upstairs with reasonable choices, plug-ins on tables.
Museo Cavaratti. In an 1875 building, ethonography, 1946 Chev truck, old photos and contemporary art on the second floor. Free
Archaeological Museum Adán Quiroga. Ceramics, clay pipes for smoking psychedelics (seva seeds), several cultures, masks.
Virgen del Valle Cathedral. 3 naves, elaborate white marbel side chapels and lovely frescos,
Museo de la Virgen del Valle. Holds the artifacts of the original church – polychromes, liturgical material. Free
Late afternoon bus to La Rioja.
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ARGENTINA – LA RIOJA
LA RIOJA
I arrived late at 23:00 and hostel owner waited up for me.
ON Meta House. Rated 4.9, there was graffiti covering every wall and ceiling, including the rustic, non-matching beds. Bathroom questionable cleanliness.
The bus that continued to San Juan all left early. I could not arrange a trip to the WHS and couldn’t manage staying in this hostel another night, so I saw nothing. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Day 15 Sat April 5
ARGENTINA – SAN JUAN
SAN JUAN
Provincial Fine Arts Museum Franklin Rawson. Graphic art, contemporary art. Tango lessons were going on in the lobby.
Bus to Mendoza
ON Windmill Hostel US$8/night including breakfast.
Go to Mendoza
