Los Andes

A surprisingly brief 10hr bus ride into the mountain town of Mendoza was worth it just to breath the air and taste the snow <--- (it was "virgin snow" for those of you who are scrunching your faces... not a dog in site :)

Andes at Dawn

Rosario is a big city, there is no getting around it. and with big cities comes the inevitable congestion of people and black clouds of exhaust.  So naturally when a friend suggested a trip to the mounain town Mendoza, i was there.

    The 10hr bus ride was spent in a dreamy haze as it was overnight. Taking our places in our semi-camas (chairs that are so comfortable their like semi beds...hence the name)  we were soon served a hot dinner, followed by tea.  A movie eased us into relaxation and eventually into sleep. (well some form of relaxation, ironically the movie was "United Flight 93" so being an american who is often aware of anti-american sentiment around me, it was a tad bit awkward to say the least...)

    Mendoza, Argentina.  I step outside the hostel and breath deeply, delicious, clean air.  The sidwalks are spacious the plazas and parques plentiful.  Tall blooming trees line the clean, spacious streets and offer shade to the weekend craft fairs (very impressive).  Our first day includes a visit to one of Argentina´s oldest wineries.  I couldn´t help but purchase the Chardonney,  as it was USD $3 and incredible. [don´t think for a moment i know anything about wine because as of now my knowledge is limited but Argentina is a most excellent teacher as wine is a well appreciated part of their culture].  Besides its wine Mendoza offered something else key to Argentine culture.  STEAK.  

    Now let me preface this with the fact that you are reading the words of an ex-vegan.  Meat is not a large part of my life to say the least.  But i have never, EVER, tasted anything quite as heavenly as Argentine steak.  I literally wanted to call  my father and fly him down the next day just to share with him this experience. 

....................

   7:30 am.  Moon hovering over the Andes in the distance, the morning light accentuating their glory.  A 3 hr bus ride through unbelivable landscape winding around corner, the panoramic expangin with every turn, eventually reaching a viewpoint without comparsion.  The air : rejuvinating. 

    Wet feet from trudging through snow, the circular indoor fire of the mountain lodge was all i could wish for.  Prayer flags hung from the wooden beams ahead and the warmth that wrapped around me soon embraced more than just my physical body.

   Is this real....