We took a bus from BA to Mendoza. The bus ride was 15hrs long but not too bad. There was however a 10-12 yr old boy in front of us who did not sleep AT ALL and loved to shine the light of his cell phone at us. <He was just very interested in blakes beard i think. Getting to Mendoza the weather was overcast and the hostel we wanted was full, so we got a double room at Quinta Rufino where the people were friendly but no english... which lead to Blake arguing with the old man about the cost of the room (they were trying to charge 700pesos when we only owed 280). The argument lasted about 15minutes...Blake won.
We went on a wine tour which consisted of going to two wineries in the Uco Valley. Jean Bousquet was the first winery where they make great organic malbec. The tour company forgot to schedule the tour, go figure, but it worked out in our favor. We had a chef-sommellier from Aspen, Colorado who works at the vineyard now give us our tour. Steve Reese (cant remember how to spell his name)was amazing! We learned so much about wine and winemaking process.
From there, we went to Salentine another winery which was massive. We did not really pay attention to the tour for two reasons, 1. we had the best tour ever right before 2. it was in spanish. At one point I thought Blake was going end up like charlie and the chocolat factory stuck in some huge tank because he kept wondering off amongst the massive sterling silver barrels.
The three course meal was fantastic. Lots of wine and steak, we actually got some vegetables with this one though. The crew on our bus was amazing also. There were 7 of us. A couple from BA and another guy from Argentina (all spanish speaking), there were also two nurses there doing volunteer work for children in poverty (Jenny was spanish and english speaking so she translated for us the whole time... we were definitely the loudest and most fun table in the fancy winery!
The next day we came to the hostel we wanted originally and got the only double room!! woop! had it for 2 nights, then last night moved to a 4bed dorm, today to a 6 bed dorm... we just like variety. Damajuana Hostel is wonderful, friendly staff and english speaking. Last night they hosted a argentina barbeque with lots of wine...yes we have eaten steak almost every day. IT IS SOOOO GOOD!!! The meat is nothing like at home, it is so tender and the only seasoning they put on the meat is salt. pictures will show better...
Yesterday we went to the hot springs...wont do it again. haha! we went the cheap route and the place was full of kids and to put it plainly...not great.
We met up with Alajondro last night to talk about what wineries to go see. Thanks Warren! Tomorrow we are going to Luigi Bosca winery. Thanks Warren again!
Tomorrow night we are going to Bariloche! 20hr on the bus and the only seats left are the cheap seats so blake legs will prob be a bit cramped..
Lake in the Mendoza city park
Clare´s salad with kidney and liver....
A filet...
Jean Bousqeut cement wine tanks
Steve Reiss
Crazy clouds over the vineyard
Salentien (spelling is wrong) Winery, this is their version of the cement tanks....much more high tech
The wine sanctuary at the Salentien Winery
wine barrels...
Our group for the wine tour, about to eat an amazing lunch
Behind us is the fountain in the main plaza in Mendoza and the weekly weekend market
The Cerro De La Gloria statue, which is on the 5 peso
A group of kids walking to the futbol match, they were from the team Rivers in BA and their team was the heavy favorite. The game ended in a tie, after a last second shot in overtime was disallowed due to a hand ball. There were several fans staying at our hostel, and they were not too happy. And, no we didn´t go to the game.
Eating dinner with our new friends from the UK (Dan and Guy). Notice that there are 4 steaks and only 1 salad....the waiter was concerned. This dinner was in true Argentin style, we ate at midnight.
The pools at the hot spring
True Argentin bbq
A closer look
The dinner table.
Did you remember to take Ketchup?
ReplyDeleteHow's the skiing there? Lifts are opened in parts of Colorado. Not in Mississippi yet. Caty went KD. As if your ever going to see this.Haven't updated in a long time.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess I will make another comment so at least someone will be updating this blog. Mom is wearing out your car and Lorraine is sitting in the den listening to Rosetta Stone. I think she's planning on going with you next time. Still having a blast here on the old homestead, Wish you could be here.
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