Travel Vicariously 1: Northwest Argentina by Jerry and Elaine Last
For would?be travelers on a tight budget, you can go to exotic places essentially for free by reading a good book that uses the place you want to visit as its locale. For example, you can visit the Argentine cities of Salta, Cafyate, Molinos, and various Indigenous communities in the Andes Mountains by reading The Empanada Affair, which can be downloaded from the Amazon Kindle store (along with a Kindle reader) for $0.99. Search for The Empanada Affair on Amazon.com to find this book. The Northwest of Argentina is a relatively undiscovered paradise for tourists. Extraordinary geology has created rock formations that rival the National Parks of the Southwestern United States with a color palette that should make Bryce and Zion National Parks seem to be monochromatic. The cover of the Empanada Affair is an original oil painting by a local resident of the 7?colored rock formations surrounding the indigenous village of Purmamarca near the Bolivian border of Argentina.
The Andean region of Northwest Argentina is almost totally unspoiled for tourists. It was difficult to get to until very recently when Salta expanded and modernized its airport, and it has not promoted tourism in a systematic way. Thus, it remains not crowded and relatively affordable. It is seen as a Mecca for ecotourism, and attracts young hikers and bikers from Europe and Asia as well as older tourists. The southernmost end of the Inca Trail is here, and pre?Columbian history is evident in the indigenous villages. A long bus ride to the west, then uphill and downhill connects Jujuy with San Pedro de Atacama on the Chilean side of the Andes for those who want to see what is on the other side of the mountain.
Cafayate, to the south of Salta City, is the Napa Valley of Argentina and is a small town where one can tour excellent wineries with tasting rooms and buy artisanal jewelry. The book not only describes the areas, local foods, local wines, and local industries, but it does so within the framework of an entertaining and suspenseful mystery story. The foods our characters enjoy include and describe the empanadas of the title, every conceivable piece of beef, exotic condiments like chimichurri, locro, humitas, pejerrey, and various other regional delicacies. The wines include Malbecs and Torrontes, as well as wines made from more familiar grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. Llamas and Alpacas donate their wool to local craftswomen to weave characteristic products of the area. The characters in The Empanada Affair experience all of the food, wine, and culture of the area as they try to solve the murder mystery at the heart of the story.
This is the first of a series of intended articles that will scan the Amazon Kindle store for low?priced books that use exotic locales as a character in their story. I will read all the books discussed and select only those that meet the goal of an excellent vicarious trip within the context of also being entertaining.
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All Rights Reserved
Copyright © 2011 by Elaine and Jerold Last
About the Author
This is a first novel for both of the authors, who are a married couple living in Northern California. Hopefully, it will be the first book in a series.
Ipad vs Kindle – Best tech devices for travel in Asia HD
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Duracell Powerhouse USB Charger with Lithium ion battery / includes universal cable with USB and mini USB, $12.49 The Duracell Powerhouse Charger offers big time power from a portable charger. It can charge two USB compatible devices at once, including your iPod, BlackBerry or Motorola phone. Recharge it over and over again by simply plugging into your computer’s USB port. Get up to ten hours of extra power for your devices (Based on 680 mAh cell phone. Results vary based on device and usage patterns)…. |
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Duracell Instant USB Charger with Lithium Ion Battery/Includes Universal Cable with USB and mini USB $19.50 Includes universal cable with USB and mini USB. Compact on demand power. 1 charger, 1 cable. 5 volt/1150mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery. USB power port. On/off switch, charging status light (illuminates when the charger is operating). Charging indicator light. In port used to charge the charger with the provided USB cable. Additional Run/Talk Time: iPod Classic: Up to 50 hours. iPod Nano: Up … |
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Duracell Go Mobile Charger / Rechargeable / includes car adaptor and 2 AA / 2 AAA precharged, rechargeable batteries, $12.99 Smart Power RechargedProductInformationThe Duracell Go Mobile Charger es with four rechargeable batteriesand offers excellent speed of charge and great mobility. Featuring a fast one-hour charge and a car adapter this charger letsyou charge four AA or AAA rechargeable batteries at home or on the goin no time. Use it any time and anywhere to charge upbatteries for all your digital devic… |
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Insten Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter Plug, White – by eForCity $0.01 NOTE: This charger adapter plug converts the power outlet only, it does NOT convert electrical output current and voltage. Please make sure your device carries a electrical converter when you travel to other countries with different electrical output. If your device requires a electrical converter, please pair up the original electrical converter with this world travel charger plug. For example: N… |
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Kensington 33117 International All-in-One Travel Plug Adapter $12.75 The Kensington 33117 Travel Plug Adapter is a pocket-sized power adapter for go-anywhere convenience. This all-in-one unit provides plug adapters for use in more than 150 countries, so you never need to be at a loss for power again. The Kensington 33117 is easy to use, with slide-out power plugs that ensure you won’t lose any vital pieces, in a compact, self-contained unit that eliminates any hass… |
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Motorola Micro-USB Home and Travel Charger $0.95 The Motorola Micro USB Data Cable allows you to access your data, internet and email on the go. Just plug your device in with the Micro-USB end then insert the USB end of the cable into any PC or Laptop and you’re ready to transfer data. Additionally, this comes with a wall adapter, so you can plug in the micro USB cable into the adapter to charge your phone…. |
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All-in-One Travel Power Plug Adapter for US, UK, EU, AU $0.01 Specifications Portable Plug Adapter with built In plugs, No more fumbling with a jumble of confusing international power adapters. In one convenient and easy-to-use unit, this travel adapter plugs into the power outlets of more than 150 countries. Simply slide out one of the four built-in plugs and safely power laptops, cell phones, battery chargers, and other consumer electronics…. |
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Tough Traveler Made in America Side Pocket Bag Two sizes: Small (8″h x 5″w x 3″d) & Large (10″h x 7″w x 3″d) Size Small is a great fit for the Nook or Kindle. Size Large will hold a small laptop or netbook (up to 12″). Simple fleece-lined pouch can be carried by its removable shoulder strap or attached to a belt. In addition to the main pocket, there is a flat zippered pocket on the front for notebook, keys, etc. High-visibility reflective str… |