Goodbye Chile, Helo Argentina

Crossing the Andes Mountains was captivating. Going from the hills on the coast, through the green pre-cordillera, through the Andes which looked like spikes shooting into the sky, then trhough the dry brown mountains after the border crossing (which went by with ease, didnt even get my bags searched), I was suprised to wake up from my nap in the bustling metropolis of Mendoza.

This city is really beautiful. A huge plaza in the middle is the center of life. Al fresco cafe~s chattered all night long. A couple blocks away from my hostal I stumbled upon a rock concert in the park, which turned out to be a communist rally with quotes of Che Guevarra and Karl Marx read in between songs. Very interesting to see this type of event from an outsiders point of view.

So much happened in Chile right before I left, its hard to explain in the short time I have on this computer. There was a public workers strike that jumbled up life when the garbage carriers, customs officials and a large array of government employees took to the streets in protest. The stray dogs had a hay day ripping through the massive mounds of garbage piling up. But that passed and life went on the same for me.

The weekend before my host family had visitors from Canada, so we spent all weekend in town showing them around, having dinner parties at the house, going to beaches.

It was so difficult finishing up with all my classes while at the same time trying to get ready for my month long backpacking trip and spending as much time with my friends as possible. But now here I am, Mendoza, Argentina, about to go on a bycicle wine tour, then take an overnight bus to Buenos Aires.