Never expect things before siesta to be the same after siesta.

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Mendoza Argentina, 32C Degrees outside and not a cloud in the sky.
Started the day off with the picking up of our Brazillian Visas, and another wonderful luch with an old, and 2 new friends. Managed to meet up with an old friend from Whistler and his compadres and we all managed to stick together though the adventures of Wine Country. Next stop was the near by grocery store with wine isles larger than anything I have ever seen, stocked with some of the most amazing and exclusive wines of the world. I bought 8 bottles with itention of sending them home. Seemingly too easy, the post office was next to the grocery store, I couldn´t help but here that little voice saying that something has to make with a bit more dificult..... Siesta for the post office staff is between 1pm and 5pm, I was out of luck until then. Not a big deal as the rest of my party with about 5 blocks away waiting for me to have lunch on the street restaurant. 5 blocks turned into 10, but non the less I arrived. Round 2 at 5pm. The post man informed me that they only send wine in the mornings and it is not possible to package and send now because if it stays in the building over night someone will drink it. So, another great story, I will be carrying along 8 bottles of wine with me into Brazil, hoping that I can send it off before 8 turns into 6 and 6 in to 0. I tried family 😉

Yesterday we took the advice of friends and opted to take the public transit down dirt roads for about 45 minuites to the wine country. Here we were met by 13year old boys who brought us to the infamous Mr. Hugo where we rented 2 pink bikes with basked, 3 red, and one tandem. Perfect start to a wine tour, home brew served chilled compiments of Hugo. Following this we proceeded down the now paved road en route to our first winery about 9kms away. With an avid mountain biker leading the way we broke record time in the blistering 35 degrees and made our way to Villa del Cerno a beautiful family run winery who had a BBQ in action and we were treated to fresh steak, chicken, salad, and exception wine of the property. Following this we made our way to Tempus Alba, a far more posh winery whre Sarah and I fell in love with the slightly chilled Merlot and realized that if we had 2 glasses our biking home may be a bit of a problem. The property itself was seemingly magical and the staff were all family of the proprietors themselves. It was quite the experience. Following, we rode back the way we came and managed 1 more winery and, the best, a wine and olive factory· wow· The most amazing spreads and jams and marmalades and olives. Even smoked gouda in olive oil and spices. Something to try to recreate at home.

945pm tonight Sarah and I are leaving the two girls from 100 Mile who are en-route to Chile, to embrace a massive journey across the country to land in Iguazu in 36hours. Fortunatly the busses are wonderful here and serve meals and have leather recliners. This may be a bit of a battle but I cannot wait to enter in Brazil where we will spend the rest of our time until we part and I head to Peru and Sarah to Sao Paulo.

I am now toying with the idea of flying from Sao Paulo to Cusco for a few reasons. 1 being the nightmare stories from fellow travelers of the hideously bumpy bus rides, the thought of being inland and in transit for nearly 2 weeks, and the more and more pictures of beautiful brazillian sandy beaches.

Well, I think that I may go to crack open the first bottle of what was to be mamas wine in the park across the road and sit with a few new friends until our departure in a few hours.

Mendoza is a wonderful and seemingly quaint city with the feel of a small village and the sweetest of people. I am definatly yearning for the beach so Brazil should be the perfect fix for that. Its so nice to get emails from home and especially the stories from Belize. Only 2 months and Ill be there eating Nachos along side TEss·

Will report apres the Falls de Iguazu. May be life altering
´xxo Mish

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