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Published: November 23rd 2007
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The Parillada
Just a mountain of meat, glory oh sweet glory Note: this entry was not written by Mike Bebernes.
So Mike and I have decided we´re just going to get fat. We´re throwing self control to the wind. Packing on the pounds. Chubs if you will. Before we left for the trip we were under a serious misconception that we would actually lose weight. We we thinking all the walking we´ll be doing, all the sightseeing, and since we´re on such a tight budget we would be eating only twice a day. WRONG!!! Since we have been on the trip we have decided to change our mindset. We know we are going to run out of money along the way regardless, so why not have fun doing it. We find ourselves eating all the time! And not only eating, but gorging ourselves with the delicious delectable meats of Argentina. That´s what Argentina is known for, so we are taking full advantage. And might I add my sweet tooth is absolutely out of control. There is no other way to put it. Couple all this eating with 18 hour bus rides and being idle, Mike and I are going to be rolling home by the time next October comes around. But
Salta
Just freakin beautiful who cares. It´s worth it.
So the rest of our time spent in Salta was fabulous. We actually didn´t end up going white water rafting. The night before we were going to go, we decided to go all out and have a really nice last dinner with the Aussies. As said before, Argentina is known for it´s steak and they definitely live up to their name. We went to this great steak house and got a parillada, which is essentially a huge platter of all kinds of meat for two people to split. Every part of the cow was on that plate. This included the intestines and kidneys that I tried. Internal organs are suppose to be thrown away for a reason! When the server brought out that plate of meat, I thought Mike was going to cry. Immediately he started salivating and lost all control. He was in heaven. And the best part of it was it was only $11 for both of us. Needless to say, since it was our big night out two bottles of wine turned into four additional bottles of champagne and the next morning no one was in the mood to go bounce
Santiago Modern Art
It´s a dull city, what do you want from us? around in some raft.
When we left Salta we sadly said goodbye to the Aussies and jumped on an 18 hours bus ride south to Mendoza which is the wine country of Argentina. I should clarify that the Bolivian bus system is the exact opposite of the Argentinian bus system. The overnight bus Mike and I took to Mendoza was absolutely spectacular. It was a double decker, we sat on the top, there was a heater on the bus, there was food, the attendant had everyone play Bingo (why not play Bingo in Spanish is the real question), and the best part was we actually got to sleep. None of this "it´s colder inside the bus than out" business. When Mike and I arrived in Mendoza the first time, we weren´t that impressed. So we figured why not keep the good times rolling and immediately hop on 9 hour bus to Santiago, Chile? Apparently we love the bus system so much we would rather ride the bus than explore foreign cities. So 9 very comfortable hours later, we get to Santiago, Chile.
In our guide book we were told that Santiago is a very safe and clean city.
Beach Smooch
´Gimme Some Sugar Baby´ And that´s exactly what it was. Safe and clean. Unfortunately that can be self-defeating because that´s all it was. So we got in that night and stayed at La Casa Roja. This hostel was very impressive. It is an old mansion that was renovated and converted into a hostel. It had a very grand presence about it, but at the same time it was nice because there wasn´t the stuffy feeling that is usually accompanied by elegance. Also, the location was great because it was right in the heart of Barrio Brasil which is the part of the city that has the best night life. We spent the next day exploring the city, doing touristy things, yadda yadda. But the most poignant part of the trip was I finally got to eat sushi! Oh my love, I missed you so. And ironically, the restuarant was next door to our hostel. It was so delicious and exacly how I remembered it. Even though the menu was in spanish, and I wasn´t exactly sure how to say "fresh water eel" in spanish, it didn´t matter. The next day we hung around Santiago just because our hostel was putting on a wine tasting.
Lounging in Viña
Travelling is hard It was actually quite informative for being so impromtu. So after our little tasting lesson we headed for the coast! We took a two hour bus ride to the little port town of Valpairaso. The neighboring town was Viña del Mar, and the difference is so stark. Valpo, where we stayed, is the working man´s community, where Viña is an upscale beach resort town with trendy boutiques and plastic surgery offices lining the street. Mike and I definitely pulled a Samantha Brown. We stayed in Valpo just because it was cheaper, but loved Viña. It was so beautiful, and we definitely had the best beach day to date. It was funny because when we went to the beach there were all these families with their top of the line swimsuits, umbrellas to lay under, and daquiris to sip on. Then hear comes Mike and I with no towels, laying on our shorts, using our sweatshirts as towels and eating the free bus food that we had saved from the day before. Then to end the day we went to the Sheraton to drink 2 Caiparinhas that cost more than our room that evening and watch the sun set on their
Sushi
Actually Jenny´s second sushi in two days balcony overlooking the ocean. We´re such sellouts!
So then our time in Chile was done. Low and behold the Aussies were heading to Mendoza, so we decided to meet them there because we had to pass there anyway to get to Buenos Aires. So when we got to Mendoza the second time we realized that we had greatly overlooked this charming little city. Mendoza is a place with tree lined streets, a university, and a pool at our hostel. The first day we were here, the weather was so perfect that we spent the day lounging by the pool. The next day was a wine tour. Mendoza makes 75% of Aregentina´s wine, so we figured we might as well try it. I´m not going to lie. We weren´t that impressed by the wine, but the gourmet lunch was unforgettable!! Honestly, this food was fit for a king. We spent two hours eating an endless array of meats and cheeses, honied carrots, ginger cous cous, and that was only the appetizer. We followed it with empenadadas, and when we couldn´t possible eat anymore they brought out homeade pasta. We were absolutely stuffed. But there was no time for rest because
Wine tasting lunch
This was the starter!!! the next day was Thanksgiving! It was so great because the Aussies were interested in experiencing as close to a traditional Thanksgiving meal as possible, so that morning we went to the store and got all the accoutraments for a meal. We scoured but alas, could not find a turkey. We ended up with a roasted chicken, curry flavored stuffing balls, baked as well as mashed potatoes, bread, green beans, and of course wine. I was really impressed. It turned out so great. And I have to acknowlegde Anthony, the Aussie we keep talking about, who was our chef! Koodos sir! Since we couldn´t be with our families this was the next best thing.
So now our time in Mendoza is coming to an end, and we are off to Buenos Aires!! This is the part of the trip Mike and I have been looking forward to the most. We are sad to leave the Aussies, because this time it´s for good, but not too sad. Buenos Aires, Uruguay, Rio....you get the idea.
P.S. Anthony and Katrina: We´ll miss you guys! When we get to Melbourne the champagne´s on us. Say hi to Captain Pink Nipples
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Emma
non-member comment
Ahh Chile!
I am glad you made it to Valparaiso and Vina! Beautiful Chilan towns! My mom grow up in Valparaiso and now her perents live in Vina, so that is where I go when i visit! It looks like you guys are having so much fun! I just got really hungry looking at the pictures of all the food! If you havent left chile yet... get a lomito complito at Africa restaurant, they are super yummy! miss you! Happy Holiday's! peace and love Emma