KathleenArgentina – Cafayate
April 29, 2014
Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina, but Cafayate seems to be the place were most of the grapes are actually grown. We took “the long way” from Salta and were not disappointed. Although the road was dirt much of the way and very windy taking a total of 9 hours to go a distance of about 250 miles, the views were magical and my camera did not get a break from the overactivity in the Humahuaca Valley. Hopefully you will enjoy these pics just as much! We were so greatful that we had booked a place up in a vineyard about 2 km from Cafayate. Our room was right on a terrace that dropped off immediately into the vines below. Sitting in the evening and enjoying a glass of Torrontes was a sublime experience, and we wished for a couple more days in this beautiful spot. While we were there, we went about an hour South to the Ruins of Quilmes (also known as the most popular brand of Argentinian beer, but pretty bland). Depending on who you ask, there were people in Quilme
s beginning anywhere from 1,000 to 15,000 years ago. The museum was closed when we arrived, apparently there were some legal issues ongoing between the government and the indigenous peoples, but we enjoyed wandering up one hill and down another on the intricately constructed pathways of the Quilme settlement. The houses were once covered with cactus wood roofs, but all that remains are the stone foundations and abundant pathways. It was fascinating to try to picture what life was like here thousands of years ago. We learned that the people were farmers, so there must have been more water in this part of the valley at the time it was inhabited, today it is too dry for much other than catci to take root. We contemplated all of these things back on our veranda as we said our goodbyes to the sun and our vineyard room.
