Mendoza in Black and White

Mendoza is one of those places I had dreamed of traveling to. Of the food, of the wine, of the Argentinia people.

It was beautiful and incredible. All of it.

I have choosen a few of my favorite photos of my three days there, which was far too short, but I know I'll be back for more.




Wine Tasting at the Vines of Mendoza




Tasting at Carmelo Patti, Carmelo pouring for each of his guests




Chardonnay harvest and tasting at Viña Cobos. Hats off to you, Paul Hobbs.




Argentinian History lesson at La Rural




Biodynamic Malbec at Trapiche





Soaking up the sun at Bodega Mevi




And biking through the vines of Maipú

Location:Mendoza, Argentina

Empanadas

This is Maria- a wonderful, Argentinian woman who came to our hostel to teach a class on how to make empanadas. In South America, or at least in the three countries I have been to, empanadas are everywhere. Vendors on the street, small markets, restaurants, and grocery stores alike are all selling yummy pockets of dough, filled with any ingredients you like. A quick, delightful bite to eat, especially on this traveler's shoestring budget.

Maria gave us the recipe for to make 48 empanadas-for it seems that also in South America, or the three countires I have been to, portions are beyond generous. Walking around the room, she shared the spices, shown in tne white bowls. Cumin, chili, oregano, paprika round out the list. Added to some ground beef, and onion, a touch of salt-voilá-a filling.




For those who don't have premade empanada shells at their grocery, like they do here, you must make your own dough. Since I don't have good luck with making anything with dough, it was a helpful "flour+water" hint. Even the advice of using a wine bottle to flatten [not pictured here], was perfect.




We used the pre made empanada rounds to stuff and fold to our fancy, listening to Maria as she explained hoe the corners need to be tucked in to keep all the goodness inside.





With the empandadas all folded and placed in the oven, the group of travelers shared stories of near and far, where you came from, and where you're going next. It is the time I cherish the most in hostels, the community of the hopeless wanderers all looking for treasures and experience in this world.

When our they came out of the oven, Maria dutifully walked around, doling out every person's special one they made-carefully marked your own way.


And in the end, we cheers, for a cooking class in Mendoza is not complete without a glass of malbec in your hand.

Location:Mendoza, Argentina

Anatomy of the South American Overnight Bus Meal

South American buses have a reputation-they are supposed better the business class on an airplane. Not that I have flown business class, but I had some high expectations. After many a sleepless night on overnight buses in Southeast Asia, I was a little concerned. With only a couple weeks of "touring" travel before I arrive in Chile to work, I'm trying to get optimal sleep to maximize general awareness. The employee where I booked the ticket promised it would be nice, worth the extra $X amount to get a nicer bus, and they would have a meal or two.

I can't speak to comparing comfort but I did sleep a surprising amount. And thankful for it. And as for the meals? Two! Breakfast was full of packages cookie treats and a muffin. But dinner. Now we're talking. This meal was full of surprises and unknowns, so let's dissect and discover the anatomy of an overnight bus meal.



First, the unknown roll-top middle. Hard boiled eggs wrapped in a sweet pastry. I had to take a bite to find out what it was and only one bite to realize-ahhh yuck. No gracias. No idea if its for dessert or what but, no. Just no on this one. Moving on hoping for more!

On the top left, a cold potato salad with cooked carrots and peas. For those who know my food choices-you know I'll eat anything. But for whatever reason I do not like cooked carrots. Again, I choked it down and moved on.

To the bottom right carrot, pineapple, cherry salad. Interesting combination, but I'll often take anything that remotely resembles fruits and veggies at this point.

Next to the warm meal, bottom left. Chicken with what looked like ham 'bits' on potatoes. Heavy on the potatoes at this point, but calories are calories and this wasn't half bad, the sauce was actually nice and the chicken wasn't dry. So, minus one piece of questionable chicken which I cut off and set aside, all good!

On to my mini sando, top right-taking the roll, processed cheese and ham and the mayo and going for it. Probably a highlight!

The true highlight? Vino incluyo. Yes please. Two glasses outta that styrofoam cup on the top right of Argentina's famed Malbec will be justtttt fine, thank you! I am en route to Mendoza after all...



And for dessert, some orange like flan like creation! On the right in the container. Not too bad, and also had my weeks worth of sugar, double score!

Most impressive part is that all of this was served, eaten and picked up in about 15 minutes. Except the wine, I kept my wine but the girl moved quick!





So I got a good nights sleep, enough decent food-while saving to splurge on lunch in Mendoza. Lomo al Malbec con ensalada mixta.

Delicious steak, perfect weather to eat outside and I am one happy gal to be off that bus, at the foot of the Andes & ready to taste some wine.

Location:Somewhere in between Buenos Aires and Mendoza, Argentina

Swimming in Buenos Aires

I arrived in Buenos Aires with only two days to do all the activities that I wanted to do, but yet, had no idea what those even were. Buenos Aires was a city I arrived in like a fish without water-I was hopeless. And as a solo female traveler, arriving in such a city is daunting. Where do I go? What do I do? And most importantly, is it safe for me to go there? I had done a little research, but at the same time, I like to let the travel take me, go as the people and streets want me to go.



Since I am currently arriving in Mendoza, I can safely say that I made it through the city in one piece, and came away a little sad that I only had such a short amount of time in BA. I think it takes a few days to get used to a city-its sights, smells, character. When you can get into the flow, and not fight it, it makes all the difference in the world. When greeted with lovely music (above) and tango on the streets, I think you've then, really got something.



I was able to see the important sights, like Casa Rosa, where Eva Peron gave her famed speech



And the Cemetario de la Recoleta, where the ¡Evita! will forever lay








I made it to the Caminito in La Boca neighborhood, painted in the 1950s to beautify the area



And of course, had a steak. This one a Milanesa, in the funky San Telmo neighborhood.






I think I finally found my place to swim, ironically, on a rainy day, in the neighborhood Palmero. Wide avenues lined with stunning trees



And fun, little coffee shops and boutiques galore






It felt like I place I could get along quite well, slowly walking the streets, getting lost. But alas, it was time to go. I now know to go back, that I will take a tango class, I will eat a lot of steak, and I will get lovingly lost in Buenos Aires.

Location:Buenos Aires, Argentina