A couple weekends ago, I traveled with a group of friends to Mendoza!
Mendoza is a province of Argentina, about a 13-14 hour bus ride. It's a drier climate, perfect land and air for vineyards. It also includes the Andes.
We stayed in a hostel and the very first day there, we went on a wine tour. It was very interesting and we got to try various types of wine, mainly red. I'm not really a huge red wine fan, but I can appreciate it and also appreciate how much work goes into making it.
We went to two vineyards, the first being family owned. You can only buy their wine directly from them! The second vineyard was a little larger, where they combine new technology with old traditions. After visiting the vineyards, we also went to a place where they make olive oil. It was really good!
The next day, we went into the Andes mountains. We took a bus to Puente del Inca, which is a naturally made bridge the Incas used and built a spa underneath. Most of the spa was ruined by a flood, but the bridge is still there. It was a really awesome sight to see!
From there, we hike 3km up the mountain to Aconcagua Provincial Park. From this park, we had an amazing view of Aconcagua, the biggest mountain in the Americas. The view was breathtaking!
I also headed to Portrerillos with a friend, which is a dam in the river in the middle of the mountains. It was a perfect day of hanging out by the water, hiking, and climbing foothills.
I had such a great experience in Mendoza and highly suggest visiting it if you ever get the chance!
P.S. Pictures to come soon! For some reason, my computer isn't letting me upload them onto my blog.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Little Things
I can't believe I've been here for over a month! And I am SUPER behind on my blogging. Since my last blog, I've started school, gone to Mendoza, and so much more; but one thing at a time.
Life in Buenos Aires is much slower than in the U.S. What one might get done in three or four hours back home takes all day here. Honestly, I've gotten used to this and I've also learned to appreciate the little successes everyday.
When you're in an entirely new culture, everything seems just a little harder to do. For example, today I needed to buy batteries for my camara. After walking for about half an hour, I finally found a place that sold batteries. I could have done this in five minutes back home. I didn't mind, though. It's satisfying just to be able to accomplish even such small tasks.
Here's a list of little things that I've felt successful in by accomplishing them here:
1. Finding my way to my new home the very first day.
2. Figuring out that if I play about five minutes of Solitare on my computer BEFORE I try to get my internet running, it works much better.
3. Leading a group, successfully, to a place I've never been.
4. Finally understanding the joke on a billboard I have passed a few dozen times.
5. Telling someone in another language a funny story, that they not only understand, but even laugh!
6. Discovering a little place with really good food at a super cheap price.
7. Figuring out that if you drink coffee during that really boring class (which happens to be at the time my body is ready for a nap), I can stay awake and even participate in Spanish.
8. Finding a really cool place that no one told you about and sharing it with others.
9. Not getting hit by traffic. (this is an everyday success)
10. Not stepping in dog poop. (again, another everyday accomplishment)
11. Finding friends you can relate to so you don't feel alone in a big city.
12. Realizing you may know the streets in this city better than the ones back home.
I hope, even back home, to remember the little successes can really add up. I'm glad for this lesson that Buenos Aires has been teaching me.
Life in Buenos Aires is much slower than in the U.S. What one might get done in three or four hours back home takes all day here. Honestly, I've gotten used to this and I've also learned to appreciate the little successes everyday.
When you're in an entirely new culture, everything seems just a little harder to do. For example, today I needed to buy batteries for my camara. After walking for about half an hour, I finally found a place that sold batteries. I could have done this in five minutes back home. I didn't mind, though. It's satisfying just to be able to accomplish even such small tasks.
Here's a list of little things that I've felt successful in by accomplishing them here:
1. Finding my way to my new home the very first day.
2. Figuring out that if I play about five minutes of Solitare on my computer BEFORE I try to get my internet running, it works much better.
3. Leading a group, successfully, to a place I've never been.
4. Finally understanding the joke on a billboard I have passed a few dozen times.
5. Telling someone in another language a funny story, that they not only understand, but even laugh!
6. Discovering a little place with really good food at a super cheap price.
7. Figuring out that if you drink coffee during that really boring class (which happens to be at the time my body is ready for a nap), I can stay awake and even participate in Spanish.
8. Finding a really cool place that no one told you about and sharing it with others.
9. Not getting hit by traffic. (this is an everyday success)
10. Not stepping in dog poop. (again, another everyday accomplishment)
11. Finding friends you can relate to so you don't feel alone in a big city.
12. Realizing you may know the streets in this city better than the ones back home.
I hope, even back home, to remember the little successes can really add up. I'm glad for this lesson that Buenos Aires has been teaching me.
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