Still following the Gringo trail

So its Thursday, January 10, 2008. I am leaving Salta, Argentina tonight and going to Bolivia. You did read that correctly it does say Bolivia. This should be one of the more interesting parts of the trip. Let me tell you a little about my New Year`s Eve as well. I think most of you may know that I was robbed at about 4am in Mendoza, Argentina on Jan. 1. So here is what happened. I was walking around, drunk, well blind drunk, and I walk past a kid of about 19 or so. As soon as I walk by him I get sucker punched in the side of the face. I hit the ground. Immediately, I stand back up and turn and face my asailant (sic?). Needless to say, I was unhappy and at this point I wanted to kill this kid. As I am about to swing at him, I get sucker punched for a second time by another kid. For the second time that night, I found myself on the ground. I would not be getting off the ground for some time after that point. As I try to get up the second time, I am kicked quite hard in the stomach by a third kid. I know realize this is not going to go my way so I just cover my face with my arms, and let me tell you I got an ass kicking. A fourth kid actually showed up as well. They mercilessly kicked me for about 5 minutes screaming a variety of swears at me, all the while I am on the ground thinking that they werent going to stop until I was dead. They do end up stopping, and I dont remeber much after this. At some point however, I was relieved of my wallet. They stole 50 pesos (16 US$) and they got my credit and debit card. Sweet. I eventually found the police. They took down my story called an ambulance to clean me up and then they were kind enough to drive me back to my hostel. Good news, I have now been in the back of a police car in two countries. They didnt however find my wallet. I look at it this way though, the Year cant really get any worse. Its gotta get better from here, knock on wood.
So beyond that Salta was cool. We rented a car and drove around for three days, Ill be posting pictures on facebook shortly. and now I am heading to Bolivia. Home to a lot of poor people, coca leaves, and guinea pig on a stick (its roasted and eaten. Awesome). We are going to Tupiza to tour the salt flats, then to Potosi to buy dynamite, yes dynamite, and tour the mines. WE actually get to light it, hold it, and then blow something up with it. That has to be fun. The mines however are suppose to be a really sad spectacle, where the average miner can expect to live no longer than 10 years after starting the job. But the tourists who go there bring them supplies and "gifts" (coca leaves, cigarettes, booze, and dynamite) so apparently they are quite friendly and language permitting they are more than willing to tell you about their lives. So I am looking forward to learning a littel about the people. WE will also be crawling through the mines which is said to be a terrifying and quite claustraphobic experience. After that who knows. WE plan on eventually making it to La Paz, the capital, and then we will keep on going. The only problem is becasue the US govenrment sucks, reciprocity sucks as well, you know need a visa to enter Bolivia. This will cost me $100 and im sure be a hassle. So thats not cool.
To finish, I would lik to say that if you ever come to Argentina there are some must see and must do things: stay in hostel Estoril in Buenos Aires, go to Iguazu falls, the falls are truly some of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my life, dont go to Mendoza, Check out the town surrounding Salta. Swim in the lakes in Bariloche on Christmas (they are 40 degrees) because Christmas is hot as shit in South America, and for certain go hiking in Parque nacional Torres del Paine. Those are just a few of my tips. You can always ask for more. Ill try to be more frequent with these blogs, I know Ive said that before, but who knows that the internet situation will be like in Bolivia. Hopefully good. Finally, I would also like to thank all my friends who have been sending me messages and what not on facebook and those who send me emails. I love reading them hearing about your lives at home, all the funny shit you have to say, and everything else. Im far from home and well out of the loop, but becasue of all of you I dont feel that left out and I find myself not missing home as much as I thought I would. So thank you, a lot. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Behave yourselves, becasue you can be damn sure I wont be in Bolivia.