I have to admit, my impression of Mendoza has greatly changed changed since my arrival towards the end of winter. The city was very brown, kind of dull, and, quite honestly, felt a little dead. In the past two months, the grass has gotten immensely greener in the parks, the trees have become luscious and colorful, flowers have bloomed and people are constantly out and about. I love winter and think a snow-covered town is the most beautiful sight known to man, but I guess since Mendoza does not get snow my views of it were tainted from my winter arrival.
It is also very hot now each day and doesn't get much cooler at night - almost exactly like Boise's summers. I had to ask my host-mom for a fan lastnight because my tiny room has been getting unbearably hot and I haven't been able to sleep (all the other bedrooms have a personal airconditioner except mine).
So, what have I been up to in this warm weather?
The past month I have been going mountain biking once or twice a week. It has been difficult, to say the least, but I decided to stick with it. Through a Mendocan friend, I found out about a guy who teaches mountain bike classes and had an extra bike I could use. So he helped me get in touch with him and I began going to classes. Once I realized I wanted to continue mountain biking for the remainder of my time in Mendoza, I asked mom if she could send me my shoes, pedals, and some bike clothes. Well, for some unknown reason, the box got held up in Buenos Aires customs. I only received a letter saying that I would have to come to Buenos Aires to retrieve the package and that I would most likely be charged a large sum of money. Needless to say, to our knowledge the box is still there, because I don't have the time or extra money to go all the way there and get it. That was a big bummer. So I have been mountain biking without clips - which was a big adjustment. I have one pair of mediocre bike shorts that I use as well. The bike my "coach" lent me is quite a bit heavier than Matteo's awesome hand-me-down Trek I started using this summer, but I have just adopted the mindset that it will make me a better rider, right?
Exploring Mendoza on a mountain bike has been fun. It is no Idaho single-track track, I'll admit. However, as I have learned from our previous bike trips, there is nothing like exploring a new location on a bike. We mostly go behind the big, central park where there are some trails, a little dirt park and make-shift things we use for skills like stairs, gates etc. Since I started the mountain biking well after I had arrived here, I was very out of shape. But, I must thank all those who have taught me how to ride, because my skills have been better than all of those who I've ridden with here. You guys taught me well! I can't wait to get back on MY bikes and ride when I get home.
This past weekend, our study abroad program took us on an excursion to the city of San Rafael which is about 3.5 hours away, also in the province of Mendoza. It was a blast! We took a catamaran across a lake to a beach where we hung out and swam, we went on a short but beautiful hike, and we went rafting! We stayed the night in these cute cabins right on the river with tons of roses of all colors and a pool. It was a great, relaxing weekend enjoying the beautiful scenery of Argentina!
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