My Semester Abroad

Local college students — from the Puget Sound area or studying at a Puget Sound university — are traveling the world as part of their studies; several are sending dispatches about discovering their corner of the globe. They welcome your comments and questions.

Editor's note: Thanks to all the students who shared their experiences on traveling and learning. "Semester Abroad" is being discontinued.

All blogs and discussions:

May 08, 2006

Salta: High desert and fabulous food

Posted by Riana Hensel at 01:34 PM

I just returned from my spring break trip; we had five flawless days in Salta and Jujuy, two provinces in the northwest of Argentina. For me it was a little tease for the trip I will be taking after my program is over, so it was nice to do it on someone else's bill. Each region I visit in Argentina is my new favorite.

RIANA HENSEL/SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES

Parque Nacional de los Cardones, May 3, 2006.

The region is mostly high desert, filled with breathtaking hills, valleys and the famous Cardon cactus. We visited a nice combination of small towns and provincial capitals. My favorite small town was Tilcara, where José made us an amazing lunch before we headed to the town market. The lunch started with local goat cheese heated up, covered in herbs and olive oil. For the main course we had a choice between local spinach gnocchi with spinach

RIANA HENSEL/SPECIAL TO THE SEATTLE TIMES

Famous cactus in the north of Argentina, in the Parque Nacional de los Cardones, May 3, 2006.

sauce or a quinoa dish. Being obsessed with quinoa, a regional alternative to rice, I jumped on the quinoa
bandwagon and dragged my unsuspecting group mates with me. I promised they wouldn't be disappointed and they weren't. The combination of saffron, fresh red peppers, mushrooms, parsley and fresh goat cheese was lindo (beautiful).

Jennifer Henrichsen
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