Our empanada class was pretty popular. Ourselves, the couple from Alaska, the french guy and several other attended. A spanish-speaking woman in a chef hat with a younger girl translating told us all about the ingredients and steps to make beef and onion empanadas. Ryan and one other guy made theirs vegetarian. After the demonstation we sat down at tables and used some ready made dough to fill and fold our own.
We sat at a table with a french couple on a 6 month tour of South America. They were really nice. The empanadas were put in the oven and served back to us. We enjoyed them while chatting with our tablemates and drinking malbec wine.
Ryan and I had made some quinoa and veggies just before the class, so we got that out of the fridge and shared it with the others in the class. It turned out to me really social and a fun atmosphere.
We went to bed close to midnight, and woke up early for breakfast this morning. A cab had us at the airport in plenty of time for our flight to San Pedro. I breezed through security in Mendoza and then went through customs, which was a tiny booth about 10 feet from security. I rounded the corned and waited for Ryan. And I waited. I peeked my head around and thought maybe he was having trouble understanding the customs official, but couldn't really see much. An English speaking woman "Security is making him check the massager." Yep, they didnt like the look of his rolling massager that he uses on his legs. A few minutes pass and Ryan comes through. He explained to them that it was for massage purposes by saying "masaje" and doing the motion, but they weren't having it, looks too much like a weapon I guess.
We read a little and enjoyed the view over the mountains before landing in Santiago to get our connection. Ryan picked up his bag and brought it on the place without issue from SCL to Calama airport. The view from the plane was really amazing. Lots of snowcapped mountains, aand seeing them slowly turn pink as we went North was really cool.
We shared a transport to San Pedro from the airport with a German girl and a few others. The drive was surreal. We felt like we had landed in Afghanistan by the look of the landscape. Total desert with sandy mountains and rocky flat areas. The town itself is all dirt roads and adobe style mud-brown structures.
Our hostel, Campo Base is really clean and nice and we're glad with our choice. We grabbed some dinner at a veggie restaurant down the road, and ice cream cones while we looked at souvenier shops.
It's shower time now, not sure yet what we will be getting into tomorrow. Lots of tour options around here.
Showing posts with label argentina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label argentina. Show all posts
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Last day in Mendoza
Our asado bbq dinner got us to bed late and full of mean last night. There was so much food, chorizo, ribs, and all sorts of other cuts. We ate with Will, a 23 year old from England, and Rudy, a 33 year old guy from France. Actually, we were the only 4 to sign up for the dinner at the hostel. We talked travel, healthcaare, exchange rates, and gun control. All with our teeth slowly turning purple from the wine.
We woke up a little later this morning, and had our breakfast alone near the kitchen. I love the dolce de leche crepes they serve.
We headed off to change some dollars to pesos and buy some mate tea servery. We bought 2 mugs and 2 filtered straws, ended up using an atm for more pesos, and changing the rest of our dollars at the hostel. Before coming back to change the dollars, we enjoyed a churro and a giant layered pastry with 2 coffees in the market.
I swapped books in the book exchange and picked up "The Neverending Story." I watched the movie as a kid and I think I will enjoy the book.
We set out again after Ryan spent some time looking into tours for a destination later this month. We strolled around Mendoza's central park for a while before heading out to lunch. We went to a vegetarian cafe to try to give our bodies a break from the meat storm which they have been enduring. we had some veggie pizza and tacos with jasmine tea at Morelia. Nice relaxing spot.
We walked a little more to look for a magnet. We like to have a magnet from each country. All of the magnets were "ugly" (Ryan's words) so I ended up choosing a tiny mate pewter cup with a straw that I will glue a magnet to.
After grabbing some veggies and fruit to prep with our quinoa and lentils we came back and are now listening to Rudy tell us about his paragliding tour today. At 8pm we have a free empanada making class here at the hostel. That should be pretty neat. I'm disappointed that we will miss Thursday nights mate tea class. We leave in the morning for San Pedro de Atacama. We've really liked it here in Mendoza.
Part of last night's dinner
Not sure how to rotate this - Ryan in the park
Mendoza's Central Park
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Andes Vertical
This morning we had breakfast with a couple from Alaska, they are traveling for one year! We chatted while we ate and waited for our guide from Andes Vertical to pick us up for pour monthin adventure.
Damien walked in and had the same face as Ryan's good friend Jaron, but with a full beard and long hair. If it weren't for the company t shirt and french accent, I would have assumed he was lost and looking for his skateboard. Damien was very friendly and we learned that this would be a private tour. He helped us get our bags into the car and another staff member began our drive to the mountain. I thought Damien was preapring a sandwhich up there as I couldnt really see what he was doing from the back seat. He handed the driver a leather bowl/cup with a metal curved straw and the guy stated drinking this steaming liquid. Then he refilled it and handed it to me, saying it was like a bitter tea, a traditional drink. The metal straw had a filter at the bottom and he said to drink until the liquid is gone and only the "powder" remains. There was a layer of green tiny sticks and white pieces floatnig on it, and it was hot and tasted bitter. After I finished it, as I was waiting to see pink elephants cross the street, I asked if I would be able to pass a dug test when we get home. Yes, this is just a kind of tea, not a drug. Phew!
He refilled it for Ryan, and we continued like this until I'd had 3 cups! Once we arrived at the mountain we were dropped off and Damien led the way to the first summitt. It was about a 20 minute uphill hike, and gave us great mountain views. After a few photos, we hiked higher to a second summit and had a great view of a large dam as well as the town of Cacheuta, where the hot springs are.
After that, we started down to our first rappell. It was about 30 feet and the driver was at the bottom helping be the safety. It was a little scary since it had been so long since I've rappelled, but it was fun and we quickly followed it with a second rappell of the same height.
The last rappell was largest at close to 140 feet. The fun part was after we got down, we had some lunch and got ready to climb back up. Ryan impressed the guys with his climbing skill, going up three routes with relative ease and no falls. The commented a few times on how his "skill" is very goI went up one time and at one point poor Damien bascially had to haul my body up a good 7 feet until I found a foothold I could manage. Oh well - I never said I was any good at climbing. We got a photo at the end with the driver, we were all 3 in Patagonia Down Sweater jackets! We took a photo with Damien as well.
Once we were all finished with the climbing we hiked a little way down and made a short drive to the hot springs. We'd never been to hot springs before, so we're glad we were able to give them a go. they range in temperatures, from quite hot to luke warm. We sat in the hot one for a while, then a slightly cooler one before calling it a day. I'll post pictures of our adventure once I have reliable adapters, internet, etc. Probably later in the week.
We are back at the hostel now, and ready for our asado tonight!
Damien walked in and had the same face as Ryan's good friend Jaron, but with a full beard and long hair. If it weren't for the company t shirt and french accent, I would have assumed he was lost and looking for his skateboard. Damien was very friendly and we learned that this would be a private tour. He helped us get our bags into the car and another staff member began our drive to the mountain. I thought Damien was preapring a sandwhich up there as I couldnt really see what he was doing from the back seat. He handed the driver a leather bowl/cup with a metal curved straw and the guy stated drinking this steaming liquid. Then he refilled it and handed it to me, saying it was like a bitter tea, a traditional drink. The metal straw had a filter at the bottom and he said to drink until the liquid is gone and only the "powder" remains. There was a layer of green tiny sticks and white pieces floatnig on it, and it was hot and tasted bitter. After I finished it, as I was waiting to see pink elephants cross the street, I asked if I would be able to pass a dug test when we get home. Yes, this is just a kind of tea, not a drug. Phew!
He refilled it for Ryan, and we continued like this until I'd had 3 cups! Once we arrived at the mountain we were dropped off and Damien led the way to the first summitt. It was about a 20 minute uphill hike, and gave us great mountain views. After a few photos, we hiked higher to a second summit and had a great view of a large dam as well as the town of Cacheuta, where the hot springs are.
After that, we started down to our first rappell. It was about 30 feet and the driver was at the bottom helping be the safety. It was a little scary since it had been so long since I've rappelled, but it was fun and we quickly followed it with a second rappell of the same height.
The last rappell was largest at close to 140 feet. The fun part was after we got down, we had some lunch and got ready to climb back up. Ryan impressed the guys with his climbing skill, going up three routes with relative ease and no falls. The commented a few times on how his "skill" is very goI went up one time and at one point poor Damien bascially had to haul my body up a good 7 feet until I found a foothold I could manage. Oh well - I never said I was any good at climbing. We got a photo at the end with the driver, we were all 3 in Patagonia Down Sweater jackets! We took a photo with Damien as well.
Once we were all finished with the climbing we hiked a little way down and made a short drive to the hot springs. We'd never been to hot springs before, so we're glad we were able to give them a go. they range in temperatures, from quite hot to luke warm. We sat in the hot one for a while, then a slightly cooler one before calling it a day. I'll post pictures of our adventure once I have reliable adapters, internet, etc. Probably later in the week.
We are back at the hostel now, and ready for our asado tonight!
summit 2
ry guy
same jackets!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Mendoza Biking Wine Tour
Our wine tour started with a 15 minute drive with a driver and 2 Australian medical students. We arrived at the bike tour office, grabbed our bikes and helmets, and met Diego (our guide) and 3 flight attendants from Buenos Aires. Diego said they were "stooges"...."you know, stooges, like on an airplane". He meant stewards!
We rode for about 5 minutes toward our first stop when someone called Diego back to the end our single-file line. One of the Australian girls recently lost a close friend from a bicycle accident, and her aunt is being put on trial for murder for running over a biker in South Africa. Needless to say she had lots of mental issues with being on a bike. The arranged for her to meet us at each winery by car, and we rode on.
We stopped at the entrance to a pretty winery with long rows of grape vines and mountains in the background. We didnt end up going into this place, but Diego told us about watering the grapes and harvesting them by machine versus by man, and we noted that the "mulch" we were standing on was actually grapes (shriveled ones, skin, pieces of leaves, branches, etc.)
We took a few pics and rode on to the winery of Carmelo Patti - famous for his Malbec. He showed us articles in wine rating books and even in the Washington Post praising his prized Malbec wines. We tasted 3 of his wines and I really liked them all. You can tell he was really proud of his wine and his work, he was very friendly and we were happy to get a photo with him. He is considered a small winery because he produces only 50,000 bottles a year.
Next we rode on to a second winery, the name is escaping me. This one was much larger and we were able to see huge vats and barrels in which the wine is aged. We saw bottles being labeled and sealed. The basement of this place was enormous and in it we tasted 3 wines. A white, a malbec, and a blend. This winery produces about 600,000 bottles a year.
We biked on to what would be our last winery. This was a boutique winery that produced an even fewer number of bottles than the first one. This would also be where we would have lunch. Ryan and I each ordered the ribeye.
Wow! A table set to perfection in a private room of the restaurant was ready just for our group. Warm rolls were passed around and our plates were drizzled with high quality fine olive oil - oh the olive oil! It was delicious. We each had 3 wine glasses at our setting and they were all filled rather generously for a "tasting". We also each had a mini-empanada filled with tomato that was also very good.
I'd like to look back and see my face when they brought our plates out. A HUGE ribeye with a large square of layered white potato, sweet potato, and squash, also a portion of mashed pumpkin and a small green salad. A really large and delicious "lunch." The ribeye was excellently prepared and some of the best meat we've had; Ryan said it was right up there with (but not better than) his Dad's steaks.
The food was great and I did my best to eat it all, but sadly I had to leave a bit of meat behind. I drank about 2/3 of the wine they gave us, added to the other 6 tastes we'd had earlier...well...lets just say we were ready for a nap.
How cruel to spoil folks with food and wine only to make them pedal for their dessert! After a tour of the winery, we rode to Absinthe. Absinthe is an artisan shop full of delectable chocolate and marmalades sweet liquers, and the best olives we'd ever tasted. We sampled and tasting many of the spreads (cafe, dulce de leche, coconut, chocolate hazelnut and fruit ones). There was also a salty spread table with olive and roasted pepper and garlic preparations. Our favorite were the whole sweet green olives, and the coconut marmalade.
After the spreads we were asked to select 2 liquers which we'd like a shot of. My first thought was "Ugh, no more alcohol!" but the penny pincher won out in my brain with the "you've already paid for it" line. Ryan and I both had the chocolate banana shot, which was sweet and tasty, but strong. We both passed on shot number 2.
It was about 6 pm when we rode back and caught a ride to our hostel. We really enjoyed learning all about wine. (Always store wine on its side to keep the wine in contact with the cork). Also we are now in the market for a decanter.
We are still so stuffed from our huge 3pm feast that we are skipping dinner tonight. We are just hanging out and uploading some pics. Tomorrow our rappelling and climbing adventure starts in the morning!
with carmelo patti
Santiago to Mendoza
We woke up and had some breakfas with MariLu. She told us she watched two Jack Nicholson movies on tv the night before, and we talked about that, our time in Pucon, and our trip ahead.
We packed up our haul and took the subway to a bus stop where a small bus dropped us at the airport. We are getting pretty good at public transport! We printed our boarding passes at a kiosk and went through security pretty fast. We had pleanty of time so we read for a while and had a cafe con leche at an airport cafe - only to see a Starbucks just when we finished! We´ve been craving American coffee.
The flight was about one hour. I read when we were in the clouds and finished my book called "No and Me" which I really enjoyed. We had some nice views of the Andes when we dipped out of the clouds. One of the stewards handed out a card and chocolate to all the women - a Mother´s Day card! Oops, maybe I shoudn´t have taken it.
Customs consisted of scanning our bags and taking our pictures. I was worried that we would be busted for having lentils and quinoa from Santiago in our bags, but we didn´t. After taking two transactions to get the money we wanted out of the ATM (wasting 5 bucks in the process) we were on our way. Hello Mendoza! We say our first olive trees and grapevines as we left the airport - looked like they were on airport property!
A short cab ride and we were at our hostel. A german woman who spoke perfect english helped us. She was really nice and helped us book our bike tour for the next morning. With the time change it was getting to be late afternoon. We walked around the block (all was closed, it was sunday) and then came back to make our lentils. We also put a load of clothes in the free washing machine and hung them on a terrace to dry. Everyone gets a free glass of wine a night, so we sipped ours while talking to Lee, a guy from NY traveling for 9 months. After the lentils and wine the hostel hosted a "pizza party" and for a small price you could have all the pizza you want. We sat by Lee and a couple from San Francisco and swapped travel tales over pizza. We got to bed around 11:30.
I´m currently waiting for Ryan to come down for breakfast - he is rolling out his leg musles in the room with the portable roller he brought along. Our guide picks us up at 10:30 for a bike tour of 3 winerys, an olive oil factory, and lunch.
disclaimer - I´m a bit rushed this morning, and this keyboard at the hostel has worn keys that you have to push hard to get to type. Sorry for the typos, I´m sure there are many!
We packed up our haul and took the subway to a bus stop where a small bus dropped us at the airport. We are getting pretty good at public transport! We printed our boarding passes at a kiosk and went through security pretty fast. We had pleanty of time so we read for a while and had a cafe con leche at an airport cafe - only to see a Starbucks just when we finished! We´ve been craving American coffee.
The flight was about one hour. I read when we were in the clouds and finished my book called "No and Me" which I really enjoyed. We had some nice views of the Andes when we dipped out of the clouds. One of the stewards handed out a card and chocolate to all the women - a Mother´s Day card! Oops, maybe I shoudn´t have taken it.
Customs consisted of scanning our bags and taking our pictures. I was worried that we would be busted for having lentils and quinoa from Santiago in our bags, but we didn´t. After taking two transactions to get the money we wanted out of the ATM (wasting 5 bucks in the process) we were on our way. Hello Mendoza! We say our first olive trees and grapevines as we left the airport - looked like they were on airport property!
A short cab ride and we were at our hostel. A german woman who spoke perfect english helped us. She was really nice and helped us book our bike tour for the next morning. With the time change it was getting to be late afternoon. We walked around the block (all was closed, it was sunday) and then came back to make our lentils. We also put a load of clothes in the free washing machine and hung them on a terrace to dry. Everyone gets a free glass of wine a night, so we sipped ours while talking to Lee, a guy from NY traveling for 9 months. After the lentils and wine the hostel hosted a "pizza party" and for a small price you could have all the pizza you want. We sat by Lee and a couple from San Francisco and swapped travel tales over pizza. We got to bed around 11:30.
I´m currently waiting for Ryan to come down for breakfast - he is rolling out his leg musles in the room with the portable roller he brought along. Our guide picks us up at 10:30 for a bike tour of 3 winerys, an olive oil factory, and lunch.
disclaimer - I´m a bit rushed this morning, and this keyboard at the hostel has worn keys that you have to push hard to get to type. Sorry for the typos, I´m sure there are many!
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