Wow, it´s insanely hot today. I´ve got another nightbus in a couple of hours and should arrive in Tucuman tomorrow morning. Nightbuses are good because they save on a night´s accommodation costs, but they´re not a lot of fun, with food that tastes like cardboard and (British/American) music of the mullet-power ballard variety. (Although, I cannot currently talk as I´ve not had mine cut since a misunderstanding in a Chinese hairdressers left me bald).
Anyway, when you first arrive in Mendoza it is distinctly unimpressive. It does not even seem to have the Latin pulse of Buenos Aires and other South American cities. But it more than makes up for it by being on the doorstep of the Andes, with trekking, rafting and skiing all available, and by having great wine, fine steaks and the world´s greatest ice cream - no exaggeration.
The Andes are fantastic, huge and barren. I flew over them between Argentina and Chile after the cruise through Patagonia and it was like looking down on a different planet. We went right up to Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, but thankfully did not climb it - I´m still recovering from the Inca Trail.
Argentina is a funny place. Both here and Buenos Aires almost feel like continental Europe, but there´s a poverty that is almost hidden, like they´re trying to pretend it does not exist. One of Mendoza´s main characteristics (apart from five stunning plazas, one incredible park, and streets lined with endless sycamore trees) is the many pavement cafes - like I said it´s very hot here, strictly speaking it´s in a desert. When you sit there in the evening you are plagued by child beggars, which is very sad, and actually reminds me of the likes of India and Cambodia, the poorest places I have visited.
I have Andes pictures for you and will post them next chance I get, as this computer won´t appear to let me.
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