From Cafayate we rush on to Mendoza as we have arranged to meet our Irish friends from La Paz there for the New Year. Although we spend nearly a week in Mendoza, and a night in San Juan we are too busy enjoying ourselves to take photos so I have compiled here what remnants there are of this part of the trip.
Mendoza is, contrary to what we were expecting, a quiet city, mostly on account of every last morsel of life retreating indoors between the hours of 1-5pm in escape of the heat, also a large part of their cultural afternoon siesta - which they take very seriously. This rule does not discriminate against any Argentinean businessman, shop attendant or cleaner - the supermarkets, corner shops, clothing stores, coffee shops - any place actually need to go between the hours of 1-5pm completely shuts down. Initially a nuisance, this way of life aggravates us, and we moan about how hungry/thirsty/in desperate need of a new dress we are/I am, and then gradually teaches us how to relax and embrace the Argentinean way of life. So instead of trudging the lifeless city during the stifling 38degree heat during the day, we lounge by the pool, sweating by just being, reading and swimming, until the shops and bars and cafes open up. And by Jayzuz does this city come to life at night! Every restaurant is full by 9pm, covetable outdoor seating lining the cobbled streets creates an atmosphere of life and energy and romance and fun!
We are already in love with Argentina and know that even 5 more weeks here will be too short.
Mendoza, renound for its wine production, does not let us down as we rent bikes and cycle from vineyard to vineyard in the outskirts of the city sampling Pinot Noirs and Cabernet - Merlots and Pinot Grigios, practising our pretentious new-found wine expertise on one another as each new winery takes effect. We have gathered an Australian guy and English girl for our expedition and with each passing hour our camaraderie grows and excels into gruesome stories of strange people we have encountered in hostels and places we should definitely go next/avoid, and how lucky we all are that none of us are aforementioned weirdos. We end our splendid day in a home produced beer garden smacking mosquitoes with reflexes diminished to embarrassing incapacity after the days alcoholic events.
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| Wine Cellar - Mendoza |
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| Our wine expert / tour guide |
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| The barrels where the wine is stored while it ages |
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| Our cycling possie! |
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| Two friendly turtles in our hostels back garden |
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| Biggest bottle of champers ever! |
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| Albino frog - seriously this was in the aquatic museum - so gross! |
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| Donal's first Argentinean steak |
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| Mmmmmm..... |
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| Donal's b-day cake |
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