Mendoza

NOTE:  Sorry for being MIA the past weeks!  Due to really annoying internet problems, I have not been able to post.  BUT, now I have internet again finally!  This post was written about 2.5 weeks ago!

 

One of the most exciting things that I did in the past 3 weeks was go on a mini vacay to Mendoza, a smaller city at the foot of the Andes Mountains, and the home of Malbec wine. Mendoza is very dry (semi-arid climate…reminded me slightly of Santa Fe’s climate) but it has been able to produce tons of wine due to an intricate and very successful irrigation system. The system channels melting snow from the Andes to feed the vineyards (bodegas). The system was first started by the Incas!

We arrived via overnight bus from BA, a 13 hour ride helped by the free wine they served on the bus. Our first day we went to a little town outside of Mendoza the city called Cacheute, where there are hot springs. The ride there was beautiful in itself because the mountains literally grew from the side of the road up to the sky. What a difference from concrete jungle BA!

I didn’t actually go to the hot springs because the entrance fee was a little too hefty, but I enjoyed myself thoroughly nonetheless exploring the area and dipping my feet into the river. I took a video but it won’t upload…typical? Here’s a pic to suffice:

The next day we woke up early and went on an adventure! First we went whitewater rafting in the Mendoza River (I didn’t take my camera to the river because I didn’t want it to drown, and thank goodness I didn’t have it because me in a wetsuit is a scene ripe for jokes). No one fell out even though some of the rapids were pretty strong. The guide did let us jump into the river at the end. Even through my wetsuit, jacket and little neoprene booties the water was FREEZING! I can only imagine the force and iciness of the river during Spring when the Andes snow is melting!

We then did “canopy”, aka ziplining across mountains and rivers. It was the most thrilling thing of my life! On the last cable, the longest one that spanned the river, we had the option of linking our harnesses to a guide’s and going upside-down. Of course I did it! Here’s my friend Jackie upside down:

Looking at the entire sky while you’re upside down makes you feel so tiny!

On Saturday, our 3^rd day, we rented bikes and toured the bodegas for a day of wine tasting! We went with some people we had met at the hostel who were really cool people. One kid, from Sweden, is in the middle of a travel across the world- 20 months traveling. He’s now on his way northward, going to traverse the US on bike and end up in NYC (obviously, right?)

Unfortunately, our timing was off and we only really got to see one vineyard. It was a small vineyard that focused on making wines in a traditional way, so it’s yield was not super high each year. Of course the Malbec was the best, but I tasted both the Cab Sauvignon and Chardonnay which I liked too (the most expensive caliber, of course). There we had an asado (bbq) and drank wine all afternoon before biking back.

I really loved my trip to Mendoza. It was such a nice chance of pace from BA. Buenos Aires is a wonderful city, full of life with lots to offer, but it really is a concrete jungle and sometimes a girl needs a little nature and fresh air in her life. NOTE: My sunglasses broke and these were all I had!  At least they match my sweet helmet and the river too!

I also loved the trip to Mendoza because I got to meet tons of really interesting travelers in the Hostel. Most people were European or Australian (some Americans and Canadians) and had taken some time to travel around South America, They were friendly and interesting on average, ready to share their stories and listen to ours. I guess the only downfall of my trip to Mendoza is that I have been bitten by the Travel Bug and now all I want to do is travel with a backpack!