Mendoza? Was I really there?

It was already the 2nd of July when I arrived in Mendoza, and I had a flight to catch to the Easter Island from Santiago on the 6th. There had been problems to cross the Andes recently so I was not sure if the Mendoza-Santiago route was even open. I knew I had to get to Santiago ASAP.

Which meant that I had one day to experience this city that many people rave about. Should I go paragliding? Winery tour? Skydiving? There were plenty of options, but having arrived on a Saturday night, my first order of business was to find people to go out with.

So that's how I started talking to these 3 Germans that were in my room. If you guessed that the title to this post was a foreshadow, you're completely right. The Germans somehow knew a local that goes to the university here and were invited to a student party. So I was indirectly invited as well. So at an adequate Argentinian party time (2am), we arrived at the house.

A few hours passed, and the remaining German and I found ourselves at a girl's apartment having tea. Well, it was the girl that the German had been hitting on the whole night. When he forced me to come with, I was just absolutely dumbfounded. Maybe it was that wonderful German loyalty. Or maybe he just had no chance with her. Whatever the case, we went back to the hostel mid-morning, just in time for breakfast!

I think I would love to live in Argentina. But as a tourist, it's very difficult to get the bearing straight. So here's a typical day in Argentina (at least Wednesday to Saturday).

6pm finish touring as it's dark (winter)

10pm start dinner

12pm finish eating / start drinking

2am clubbing

6am-9am start going home & bedtime

3pm wake up

...which leaves me with, oh wait, 3 hours of daylight!

And this is exactly what happened in Mendoza. My day was pretty much over by the time I woke up. I walked around the unremarkable city for a few hours before it got cold and dark. Oh, and everything is closed on Sundays.





So I guess I'm being really harsh on Argentina. It's definitely not a country to be rushed, considering it's the 8th largest country in the world. If you only have a week or 2 for the country, skip it. The cities are underwhelming, it's expensive, and not exactly backpacker friendly. But with ample time and with moderate temperature (go in the summer!), you will probably be rewarded. And I hear Patagonia is other-worlyly. The parties are wild and the women beautiful. It's a place definitely worth visiting.

- Ryoji