Argentina

I recently returned from a phenomenal trip to Mendoza, Argentina. After suffering a minor panic attack before my bus departed I was ushed by God's angels safely to my destination. After 12 hours journeying through narrow dirt roads up through the Andes Mountains knowing no one was waiting for me on the other side. My ever so kind "seat buddy," a middle-aged gentlemen from Argentina returning home for Easter Weekend, assured me I'd love every seond in Argentna. Boy, was he a talker. I must give off a pretty inviting vibe considering he rested his head on my shoulder before doozing off to my ipod music, which he ever so politely asked if I'd share an earphone with him!! Though he came off more friendly than what I'd typically be comfortable with, he was my saving grace during the grueling "immigration" process when crossing the border at the peak of the Andes into Argentina. Upon arrival, I was amped with my big ol pack on my back I exchanged my money for argentinian pesos and hailed myself a taxi. I read some god-awful reiews of the hostel in which I'd be staying. However, due to the vacation weekend it was the only hotel left in Mendoza. And at 13 american dollars a night, breakfast and wifi included....I thought why not. Upon entering teh gate I notice the infamous ARIEL. The owner of Hostel Ruca Puto...a chubby man in his 50's with ruffled salt and pepper hair, a cigarette constantly hanging from his bottom lip always "taking care of business" on the patio in his office, a set of warped patio furniture, and a rickety glass table. He gives me a tour of the place and my mixed emotions get the best of me. + free breakfast everymorning of fresh brewed coffee, homemade bread and jam, -visibly dirty sheet on the beds, + a barrel of wine everynight brought out for the guests to help themselves til its empty, -toilets without toilet seats, + I MADE IT TO ARGENTINA! the hostel's bright colors shape up my critical attitude I drop my pack and make myself comfortable at the breakfast table after my night long journey through the mountains. And noticethe blue eyed folk talking in a unknown tongue...I make sense of one sentence, "blah blah ANDES MOUNTAINS" I interupt, "do you know english?" the girls respond, "some!" The straight forward chilean in me leaps from my mouth, "look, if you girl are going to go trek in the mountains today. I would like to join. I heard its possible on horseback. How cool would that be?!" and two hours later we are in a van shuttling us to the countryside to explore the mountain side via horseback! And I now have four new Norwegian friends! And the land was so beautiful. and our "guide" a gorgeous chilean boy with no education, who has seen nothing but the mountain range of Mendoza his whole life. I take it upon myself to pry about his lifestyle here in the mountains. We become acquainted quickly seeing as I cannot speak Norwegian with the girls and the girls can't speak spanish to our guide..the only common language is between me and him.

The weather was perfect. silence in the mountains with only the sweet hush of the breeze and the horses hoaves trampling up the mountain side.



The following day the other gringos arrived. And of course, our first stop: to try some of the world's best meat! Hello Chorizo (a huge steak, marinated in juices and served medium rare).
The steak was succulent and perfect! Upon understanding the calculation of the argentian peso, I immediately fell in love with the country. You just need to divide by 4 to convert the argentinian peso to dollar--atlast, a calculation that I can convert. Did I mention my huge steak with potatoes, vegetables, bread, and bottle of wine only cost 20 dollars. Argentina is the perfect place to visit because there economy is terrible right now so everything is dirt cheap. a taxi full of people can take you anywhere in mendoza for a total of 2 dollars. you can eat a gourmet 3 course meal for 10 dollars. go on wild adventures for an entire day for only 50 dollars. stay in hostels for less than 15 dollars. A DEAL INDEED! I adored everything in Argentina, the streets were cleaner and much safer and the people seem to be more helpful and friendly.


I spent Saturday exloring on foot the outskirts of mendoza and some of the most magical scenes of vineyards!