Argentina Update and Quarterly Review 1

Hello from Cafayate,
I´ve been in this little wine town for 2 days, which have been quite nice. However, with deadlines looming on making it to Machu Pichu before I leave South America, I am going to leave tomorrow, possibly spending one day in Salta, then heading to Bolivia. This is a cool "little town". It seems smaller than it really is, and has made it´s mark on the map because it can grow wine. It has seen an influx of wineries (most within walking distance) over the last few decades - most wineries here are under 30 years old, which also means that the wine they are producing is simpler (not as complex as the older grapes). It seems touristy here, but I think it is because of the time of year. January being Argentina´s month off. There are Argentines everywhere on vacation, so every place that I go seems a bit touristy. That being said, this town has a lot of charm and a lot going for it. Wine, obviously being the big draw, but it is nestled in what I think is a canyon. I say think, because I wasn´t paying too much attention on the bus ride. I´m pretty sure we decended. Anyway, there are rock formations and rich red hills that jet out. The scenery from the bus ride itself, makes it worth coming here. There is trekking and day hikes, some which you´ll see pre-Inca remnants like cave paintings and weird holes in rocks, which were apperently used for both grinding corn and something with interpreting stars. Or, whaterfalls, or ATVs, or whatever. I haven´t enjoyed it as much as Mendoza, but I made some pretty good friends in Mendoza.

Reflections on Colombia

This is going to be short since the internet here sucks.
Colombia was not as scary as people think it is. In fact, I found it to be almost opposite of what it is made out to be. The thing is, the people saying it's dangerous or this or that happens, are people that habe never been. The people that I've talked to that have been, will pretty much agree with me. Sure some people got mugged at knife or gun point, but they were doing exactly the thing that would get them mugged anywhere in the world. That is, wandering in dark places alone late at night in the big cities in not good neighborhoods, some drunk. And, yes, bribes do eventually occur, but mostly if you have your own car and driving around the highways. But, the only time when I actually felt scarred was on the road cause of how crazy they drive.
Coke is everywhere. No, I didn't do any and I only saw it once. I wasn't seeking to do some, especially after what I learned that they have to do to turn it into cocaine. However, I was around people who had it in their possesion. And, after talking to ex-pats, sometimes they get paid with coke or were telling me just how prevelent it is.

Reflections from Central America

I`ll likely try to do some sort of relfection after I`ve been somewhere - something other than just a recap of what is going on and more geared to what I felt, how I am feeling now, and any insights I can come up with.
Central America was such a blur, each week in a different country, that I don`t think reflecting country by country was possible or fair to the country. So, this is kinda just a general cover of the last three weeks.