Knowing Salta

Through the 5B    

This is the chance for tourists to get to know the Salta of the middle class when they have to use the 5B bus everyday from work to home and vice versa. They will not only know the city but the most important features of Argentines. And all that for just three pesos and twenty-five cents.  A real bargain!

The trip can start at Mitre Street, between Santiago and General Guemes. This is the heart of the centre of Salta. If you can get a sit, young people are commonly watching their celulars or playing asleep, you will be able to enjoy the Cathedral, San Francisco and parque San Martin.

San Martin Park offers our typical “choripaneros”, hot dog sellers, artisans, photographers, gypsies and several entrepreneurs. All these will be mixed with people of different background and not welcoming looks. Persian market? Yes. Green gardens, flowers and beautiful fountains? No.

Now at Paraguay Avenue you will be able to enjoy the skills of the driver to avoid vehicles, compete with a Toyota Hilux and cross from left to right. More or less like a Fast and Furious with a Puma and 60 or 70 people holding wherever they can. But don´t worry. This happens every day and every time and we are used to it.

Almost near San Carlos Neighborhood you can enjoy the landfills that nobody knows why they are there and who owns them. In here you should pay attention because after this there is a “feria” where you can have the chance to get the best prices for used clothes. Excellent for walking the alleys and buying old shoes and underwears. Don´t ask for invoices. What for? The tourist wants to enjoy our landscape not to follow uncomfortable rules of accountancy.

Finally, and without any discredit to any major, you can experience a wide variety of holes and ditches in the different streets in the center. These holes are as old and traditional as the most conspicuous landmarks of Salta.

I almost forget. You will also be able to enjoy the posters in our walls and scattered on the floor of all our candidates for presidents, deputies, parlasur (??) and others. They will all promise heaven on earth and they will never fulfill nothing. But we all know that and it will be a novelty just for tourists.

Warning: if someone breathes at the back of your neck and you feel a disgusting smell while standing in the bus don´t get alarm. It is just some Saltenians that are coqueando and think the coca leaves are little mints to perfume. Very nice.

Seriously. This motto “Salta, la Linda” ceased to be true years ago. In fact I never felt it that way. Salta, the Contaminated could be more appropriate.

Thank you.