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Published: March 15th 2008
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Hello everyone,
As we awoke this morning and prepared to move out of our hostel and catch an 8:00 pm bus to Bariloche , we found that we had nothing but fond memories of the city of Mendoza and the areas surrounding it. We have seen such striking scenery, from the jagged, dry and towering peaks of the Andes, to the far stretching grape vineyards that produce 70% of Argentinas wine, and finally culminating in the city of Mendoza, with its Sycamore lined streets and extensive network of parks and plazas.
We all left Buenos Aires about a week and a half ago on an overnight bus that found us in Mendoza. We didn´t stray too far from the bus station and we caught another bus into the Andes mountains about two hours from the city. Our first couple of nights we camped in the little town of Uspallata which is a oasis of Populars in an otherwise harsh and dry landscape. The town and its green environment are a result of snow melt runoff from the mountains to the west. Our days in Uspallata were spent exploring and camping. We were able to rent bikes and ride
Biker Crew
On our way to the Petroglyphs about four miles out into the desert to see a set of Petroglyphs. The Glyphs were about 10,000 years old in a spectacular location which provided a panoramic view of the mountains which surround the valley in which Uspallata lies.
After two days spent in Uspallata we continued westward and deeper into the heart of the mountains. Our bus ride consisted of a series of hairpin turns and tunnels which lasted for another two hours. Our destination was Puente del Inca, a little town renowned for its thermal sulfuric springs as well as its location next to Cerro (mountain) Aconcagua. The town of Puente del Inca is at about 8100 feet making the climate very different from what we were all used to. Other than minor morning headaces however, we were all adjusted quite quickly. Our consumption of maté helped as well. After arriving in town on the bus and setting up camp in the only "campground" in town, which was a families backyard, we attempted to walk up to Cerro Aconcagua. The name Aconcagua is thought to have been derived from the language of the indigenous Maupuiche tribe. In their language Aconcagua translates to stone sentinel. Cerro Aconcagua
is the highest peak outside of the Himalayas rising 6980 meters or about 21,000 feet above sea level. It dominates the landscape around and creates interesting weather. Our first attempt to get to the national park that surrounds to mountain was canceled because of high winds, rain and insufficient clothing. However, the second day we got an early start and were able to see the mountain against a clear blue sky. There are some pictures but it is hard to capture how big this mountain truly is.
After our couple of days at elevation, we returned and camped one more night in Uspallata. The next day we caught another bus back to Mendoza where we have spent the last four relaxing days. We have been staying at a wonderful hostel where we have been able to cook food, meet great people and sleep in comfortable beds. We all feel that this is one of the best places in Mendoza. We came to Mendoza which is the capital of wine country for the Festival Vendimia, which is a grape harvest festival. The festival goes on for about two weeks and there are parades and concerts. The parade was on Saturday
Petroglyphs
Maupuchie, 10,000 years old morning in which all the different wine queens were driven through the streets on huge floats all dedicated to grapes and wine. The queens are from all the different regions of the province of Mendoza and they were all competing to be the Queen of the festival of Vendimia. There was about 20 different young women competing. The parade was also amazing because of the large number of authentic gauchos on horseback which were escorting the queens through the streets. They were clothed in baggy pants, flat hats and all had ornate knives stuck in their belts so they would be prepared to feast on parilla whenever the oppurtunity arrose. On Saturday evening the city of Mendoza held a huge concert/beauty pageant/dance perfomance to end the week long festival. We were all lucky enough to be able to attend. A queen was crowned and we returned to our hostel feelingas though everything in wine country was as it should be.
Our Sunday was spent relaxing and exploring the many plazas that Mendoza is also famous for. For dinner our hostel orgnized a authentic Argentine Parilla and we all ate our weights in beef and Argentine salads. We slept well
Puente del Inca
Looking down the valley on our way to Cerro Aconcagua and today which is Monday the 10th we shall catch a bus to the little mountain town of Bariloche. We have heard that it is similiar to Lake Tahoe and so we will see for ourselves. So until next time take care and be well.
Tyson and Sara
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