- Took a morning bus and arrived at Tilcara, a village north of Jujuy, at around 1 pm.
- Didn´t intend to stay the night, but decided to stay after knowing of the couple nice trekking/hiking trails around the area. Glad I found Hostel Malka. The hostel was a slight walk from the town center, but an impressive hilltop accomodation with lovely landscape and BBQ area around hostel. Each 4-bed dorm is a separate little hut with private kitchen and bathroom and a porch area outside the dorm. Downright the best dorm I have had so far in my trip, and price is reasonable (USD 10). Couldn´t ask for more.
- Walked to Pucara de Tilcara (Fortress of Tilcara), where the partially restored ruins are shown. In the fortress, buildings were made of stone with roofs made with clay and straw pressed on thistle struts. The hillside is covered in cacti which look spectacular against the backdrop of the mountain. Archaeologists tried to reconstruct the lives of the Tilcaras based on everyday objects that were found. At the summit, a momument was built in the honor of the (original) archaeologists in the shape of a Turkish pyramid. Right next to Pucara de Tilcara is a Botanial Garden showing the different types of cacti grown in the area.
- Three other Argentinean gals from Buenos Aires shared the room. Their names were Cata(lina), Clara, and Cara. I was convinced they did this intentionally to confuse people.
- Another evening of such typical conversation:
(O) Others, (M) Myra
(O): ... So how long are you traveling and which places are you visiting?
(M): Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, for a total of 2 to 3 months.
(O): Lucky you. Are you on your school break?
(M): I wish. I worked for 7 yrs already. Just quited my job though and taking a break from work.
(O): ... Do you mind if I ask how old you are?
(M): Just turned 30.
(O): No shit. You don´t look 30 at all. You look like you are in your early 20's.
(M): Thanks. I guess Asians just look younger (than their age) in general.
For once, I feel great looker younger than my actual age. At work, I always wished I look more mature. Now as I travel and met a lot of fellow travellers in their 19, 20s, I am grateful that I can pass as their peer.
