ONE CRAZY DAY

It started with one child vomiting.
It ended with a 3 course meal in Salta´s finest 5 star hotel.

We  had planned a long day of travelling to the neighbouring province of Jujuy on Friday the 6th of July.
However half an hour into the journey Ellie vomited all over herself, causing  a sensation with the local dogs.
We postponed the daytrip and planned a return to our cabin in Salta, prepared for a quiet day of reading and washing!

However this was not to be.
We encountered delays at the Salta tollbooth on our return.
Despite the frigidly cold weather, 3 suit-clad men strode importantly between the vehicles, an entourage of police watching on.
We assumed they were politicians staging a play for votes.
However when they arrived at our vehicle and questioned if we were from Salta, our response to their question caused quite a stir ....

¨Over here!!!  We have them!!¨ we heard. And our car was swamped with television crews, radio announcers, policemen, and suitclad officials.

Apparently we had ´arrived first´ in Salta, and were to receive the honour of being Salta´s ´honoured guests for the Winter tourist season 2012´.
The important looking man insisted we follow him for the morning through Salta, to be honoured by the city, and nothing would put him off. When Martin hesitated, explaining we had a sick child in the car, the politician promised a doctor would attend to her, but we must come.  Ellie, terrified of stepping out of the vehicle clad only in her brother´s pullover as leggings, begged we go via our cabin so she could change clothing ... she would not miss this opportunity, no matter how ill she felt!

So we struck a bargain, and were followed to our cabin by 4 police officers.

A quick shower and change, then escorted to the centre of town to join the parade.
And what a parade.
Police on motorbikes with sirens blazing, stopping the traffic so we could pass.
Rolling the windows down, waving like royalty.
Paraded to the central plaza of the city.
Emerging from our car to greet the Mayor of the city, whilst a brass band played.
Kisses and congratulations left, right and centre. (What did we do to deserve this???  How a simple vomit changed the course of history...)

Politely jostled into a posh cafe for breakfast with the mayor and politicians.
Blinded by lightbulbs flashing, and intimidated by the demands of many reporters wanting the ´scoop´on the newly arrived tourists.  (Perhaps there isn´t a lot of news in this city? We were overcome by the media interest!)

On this website you can find other photos, plus the Mayor chatting on television about the ´big day´!

http://www.prensa-salta.gov.ar/2012/07/06/los-primeros-turistas-de-la-temporada-ya-estan-en-salta/

Then pushed outside again to the crowds and a scary looking display of tribal dancing which resembled a New Zealand Hakka in aggression, each dancer wearing fearsome feathery masks.

Another band strikes up and the crowd parts to reveal a red carpet.
The policemen push us along it, and up the stairs to a stage erected in the city´s plaza.
Speeches by one and all.
An impromptu response from my valiant husband!

Then a flow of gift-giving.
It begins with an engraved meat platter, a bunch of flowers, a lovely photo book of Salta ...
and continues ... a poncho, a quilt, regional foods, wines and beers, handcrafts ....
and continues ....  free passes to all the museums in the city, tickets to attractions and restaurants and a fancy hotel ....

The fun didn´t stop there.
We were herded off the stage and up to the impressive balcony of the Cabildo (old-style government building of the central plaza), where the Mayor initiated the ´change of the guard´ ... traditionally dressed horsemen doing their thing in an old-style ceremony.

When the whole process was finished, we returned to our police-guarded vehicle, struggling under the weight of so many gifts, and still in a state of shock!

The rest of the day was spent reflecting with laughter and gratitude on the ´strangest day of our entire lives´!

Postscript:   Ellie managed to keep the vomits at bay all day, even enjoying the gift of the 3 course meal at the plush hotel that night.   However the 24 hour tummy bug caught up with her the day later .... it´s amazing how a sufficient shock like becoming famous for a day can hold the chucks at bay!

Posted by Julie