We like Argentina!!

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We arrived in Mendoza, Argentina on November 30 after traveling over (and through) the Andes. We passed some lovely countryside. We were able to get a view of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Andes and very beautiful with its snow. But it is definitely summer here - it feels hot and we passed some closed ski resorts. We traveled with Jeanne and Abe and Noah. Ben and Oliver really enjoyed having a friend to ride and play with on the bus.

Our friends were doing a tour of particular South American cities to find a place to live for a year or two. Mendoza was on their list. Jeanne thought Mendoza reminded her of Sacramento, California and it did remind Theresa of the central valley of California.

Mendoza is in the middle of a big grape-growing, wine-producing region. And it is very nice and family oriented. The city has wide streets and sidewalks with lots of huge sycamore trees (lots of bird poop too). The main plaza is really large and they have a beautiful city park called Parque General San Martin. (Every town here seems to have something named for San Martin). Everywhere you went families and people were hanging out, just having a good time. The Argentinian people seem so friendly and happy.

Besides visiting parks, the aquarium and reptile house, and a few museums, we didn’t do too much except drink Argentinian wine (Malbec), eat the beef, and let the boys swim at our hotel pool. The rumors are true, Argentinian beef is the best!

We parted ways with our friends in Mendoza on December 4. We’ll meet up with them again in Albuquerque. Now we are headed to Iguazu Falls, Argentina.

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Photos

Andean Condor
The umpteenth one we have seen, but will we ever see a live one?

Steve, Jeanne and Abe
enjoying the nice parks of Mendoza

Acuario Municipal Mendoza
A sweet rescued turtle named Jorge and the boys