Trip to Mendoza, Argentina

Hi all,

Well I made it back from Argentina in one piece. There was one hairy second where I thought they were going to reject me on re-entry, but more on that later.

I left for Mendoza on a very long bus trip on Friday (public holiday, the equivalent of Labour day). I didn't have a hostel booked or anything, just packed my bag and left - probably not the best way of doing things but it worked out OK. It is a long trip, through some fairly amazing country. Crossing the Andes is not to be taken lightly, and the road is simply breathtaking, as were the views. It literally dog-legs up the side of this enormous mountain, and the actual border is a tunnel. The bus people had the border crossing pretty much down to a fine art - everyone off the bus, exit Chile with one set of immigration, walk 20m and enter Argentina with a second immigration office. Then there is a big line up where they go through your handbag and x-ray all the luggage. In all it took a bit over an hour, which I didn't think was that bad for a large busload of people from all over the world. Then there was an hour waiting in the bus for them to double check some of the paperwork, which I just found frustrating - I am not known for my patience.

The Argentinian side of the crossing isn't nearly as exciting, just down a valley the whole way, and not nearly so steep (Mendoza is still quite high up). I arrived into the city with no Argintinian pesos and nowhere to stay, at 7pm. After sorting some cash I found a taxi for town, and tried a couple of hostels before finding one with a bed. Was quite good actually, a room with 2 sets of bunks and a private bathroom (with a dodgey toilet and dirty shower), but still, private. Was two French girls in the room the first night, but had it to myself the second night.

Had to go and find some food (was starving). No problem, plenty of places to eat, and a massive night market going on in the main plaza, Plaza Independencia. In town I managed to find a table at a restaurant that was almost totally full (10pm is prime eating hour), and ordered a steak sandwich, which was delicious. Home through the market and to sleep.

Next day I spent wandering the streets and exploring the plazas of Mendoza. The entire city was flattened in 1861, and the authorities, anticipating another earthquake, rebuillt the city with wide streets and large plazas for people to escape the falling rubble. All the streets a lined with trees, and the place is generally very pleasant. The shopping was also more agreeable than in Chile, though I didn't really spend anything. They bring a whole new meaning to window shopping, with all shops setting their doors back 5m from the entrance, and having big glass windows displaying their wares before you enter the shop.

Plaza Independencia was where the action was at night, with the night market in full swing selling really beautiful wares, and street entertainers and musicians entertaining the crowds who come to hang out. Seems like many Mendocinos were there, just hanging out and seeing what was going on. With the rapid approach of very cold weather in Santiago I did buy myself a beautiful wool wrap, a bit like a poncho in shape, woven on a big triangle loom. It is red (what a surprise) and beautiful.

Then Sunday was just the 7hr trip home again - what fun. I slept more this time, and watched some movies in Spanish. The border was a bit hairy when the immigration officer took exception to me re-entering on a tourist visa and had a long involved discussion with her co-worker about it. I was sweating a little - especially when she asked me "are you working" - "no, of course not, just on vacation". Anyway, once my work visa application is in this week I won't have to worry about that anymore. Was probably a good move telling her I spoke no Spanish as she couldn't question me further, and thought I didn't understand her conversation with her amiga, when really I understood quite a lot. Anyway, she eventually decided it was OK, but I am not keen to push my luck again!

On returning to Santiago I was soon off for dinner at Shawn's (the teacher from grape picking), with several of her Chilean musician friends. When I turned up they were having a jam session which was really fun. Turns out some of them are actually quite famous in Chile. Who knew? Not me (until later). Was tons of fun though, singing and laughing.

Last week I also taught my first class out at the airport - a 3hr class. That takes some planning! But the people are really nice and of a good intermediate level so there are plenty of things we can do, and they speak quite a bit so it shouldn't be too hard. It is pretty interesting getting there though. First the metro, then the airport bus to the airport, then a shuttle bus (but you have to be careful to get the right one as we got the wrong one and had to be let out to walk back to the airport), to the office. The shuttle bus driver was convinced that us three teachers were actually tourists who were probably lost - luckily the other teachers speak Spanish and were able to set him right! Luckily there is a bus directly form the office to the metro after class (though that driver was also convinced we were lost). I did find it a little worrying when I asked the engineers how they managed to fix the big boeing and airbus planes when the manuals are in English and they don't read that much and they told me that "usually they can figure it out", though sometimes it is a bit difficult when they use words like "until a velocity of X" - does that mean it needs to be more than X? I was a little worried.... Perhaps we should cover words like "never" and "until" first in this course?!

Anyway, this is another long entry. I have a class soon so had better ensure that I have everyting straight.
Chao Chao,
KiwiKaz