Another stamp on my Passport: Argentina!

It has been a while since my last update, so I’ll bring you all up to speed on my home-life on the coast and my recent travels. Everything is going just splendidly as always.  A few weeks ago, they decided to raise the bus ticket price from 150 pesos up to 200 pesos. That was a mistake, because the Chilean students have been “en paro” (on strike) ever since.  We exchange students are forbidden to participate in the strikes, or else we face deportation. So all I can say is this strike is a really cool “visual experience” for someone like me.  I’ve seen protests that stopped traffic for hours, students getting sprayed with dirty water and tear gas, and most recently, students who have taken over  the buildings.  About ten students locked themselves in a building, posted up banners and stacked a tower of chairs and tables in front of the main gate to prohibit entry. I guess tonight the main building got taken over by the angry ones too.  That means no class! Woo! Unfortunately, or fortunately as some feel, many classes with Chileans have been canceled because of the strike, and some of my friends have only made it to their classes 3 or 4 times this year.

On a totally different note, I traveled to Mendoza, Argentina this past weekend.  It was a holiday weekend, so we got Thursday and Friday off.   I heard Mendoza was worth a trip, but I figured I could always fly later in the semester. But I was advised by my host mother to go soon because the pass between Chile and Mendoza is GORGEOUS and it would close soon because of snow.  My friend Ryan and I took off on Wednesday afternoon, and headed through the beautiful Andes mountains.  It was nice for a while until a blizzard hit.  But we made it to Mendoza and snagged a hostel for the evening. The next day was Thursday, a holiday, so everything was closed.  We grabbed entirely too much pastry at the only open pasteleria, and walked about Mendoza all day exploring the city and the parks. 

The next day, we embarked on a bikes and wines tour.  For only $40 we got rental bikes, discounts at wineries, and a fantastic lunch at a Top 5 restaurant in South America. It was steak and potatoes and flan for desert. The meat in Argentina is SO good.  I can’t even explain. Best steak I’ve ever had (sorry Dad). We biked through beautiful side roads and vineyards, did some wine tasting, and also visited a chocolate and liquor factory. That was my favorite part.


J  After a wonderful weekend we took the bus back home to Chile, and it was like driving through the Patagonia! So beautiful, see pictures. It was a gorgeous day and it only took 6 hours to get back.

  On Sunday, some friends and I headed to an Everton game (the local pro soccer team here for Vina), and my brother Anibal decked me out in his jersey that is signed by all the players.  The game was awesome, and I saw some incredible goals. 

So, I am officially over halfway done with my study abroad experience.  It’s so hard to believe.  As excited as I am for my last year of college, I’m hoping these next weeks pass slower than those that have already passed so quickly!