Mendoza, Argentina - Feb 23rd-25th, 2011

Traveling: I took a bus, it took about 16 hours and cost about 380 Argentinian pesos, slightly under $100 USD.  It was comfortable and I slept a good portion of the time.  I also typed up a bunch of stuff on my laptop and read the other part of the time in Spanish to learn a little more since there was nothing else to keep myself occupied.  I ended up meeting Rick getting off the bus here, and traveled a few more places with him.  He's a chill dude that travels a ton, and when he doesn't have money to travel anymore, he sets up shop to make money to fund future travels, my kind of person.

Culture/Stuff about there: This area is not known as a large tourist attraction, it is simply the wine area of Argentina where most of their wines are produced.  Argentina as a country are very well known for their steaks and wines.  I was heading over to Chile, so why not make a stop at my first winery in an area well known for it on the way.  Other than that, it is your normal smaller city with not too much going on. 

Language: Spanish, besides Brazil and some of the French owned countries up North, everywhere in South America speaks Spanish. It does change from location to location, just like how people speak differently in California than New York. It was nice to be able to try and recall some Spanish from high school, and attempt to start learning again. I did a little Rosetta Stone here, but knowing the key verbs is crucial to get points across, even if they are not used correctly.  People are nice and will help if you try.

Safety: I felt rather safe here, it is a small city area with not much going on except for the wineries that are plentiful to visit.  However, a lot of streets out of the main area seemed poorly lit, as well as lots of random ditches to funnel the rain.  Walk cautiously on the sidewalks to not become a victim to them.

Transportation: It is best to just walk the city area as everything is close here, and take charters to any events you want to do such as visiting wineries or going rafting.

Watch out though, apparently the roads flood easily

Population: 111,000 - it's a small city to see while passing through

Currency: Argentinian Peso, it is approximately 4 pesos to 1 USD

Place Stayed at: I believe I stayed at hostel Internacional, it was fine, nothing special.  It also had some more of its own hostels through out the city to party with which was nice.  However, I think some of the others were nicer and I'd recommend them over this one.

shot from outside w/ the graffiti 

Ooooops, looks like we could reach down and grab some alcohol to take shots of.

Food: The way to go in Argentina is just steaks, steaks, and more steaks, with tons of wine.  We had about 5 good bottles of wine, and amazing steak dinners each for about $120 total or so.

They were happy I was getting a shot in front of their place

Beers/Drinks: 

Entertainment: The rafting was fun, white water rapids.  I think we did a level 4/5 or something like that.  It was my first time and supposed to be challenging, however I thought we did not go through enough challenging stuff, still fun to do for a first time.  And the view through the Andes mountains was something surreal.

Let's do it up

Little man stepping up to the plate, there is probably an age requirement in the USA, but not here

Not sure if he was having fun with me, or pissed that I snapped a shot of him

Some Randoms of us:

The toughest part by far

Notice who has no paddle, we were joking about how it was not tough enough to potentially fall out, and then we stood up and hit a rock, which tossed 3 of us over, and my paddle down stream

Myself and the Andes Mountains

German+Me+Andes

Team shot afterwards

So insanely peaceful, would love to sit somewhere like this all the time

Same thing

The water was freezing, it was not worth it to stand in the water for this shot

Next was the wineries, which Mendoza is very famous for in South America, I am not sure how they compare with the rest of the world.  I will just post a bunch of the pics from the wine tours.

    Sure, I'll take some grapes to kick it off

Where a bunch of the wine is stored

All dem barrels

And me with them

My lovely tour guide pouring for the whole group

My crew

Wine fields where the grapes are grown

Not sure, I like it though

The fields again

Rick going to town

That's quite a bunch of bottles

The wine cellar for tasting

I had no idea there was an English explanation, I sat at the Spanish table for half of the explaining

Take it to the house

We also went to learn about oils and some food sampling as well

Internet: It was not great at the hostel, but sufficient

Sites to see/Things to do: This is a great area to do the rapids and wine tasting, nothing else special though

Recommendation: No nightlife or anything, skip this city if you are pressed for time.  If passing through with free time, stay for a few days and enjoy the activities I did

Other Pics:

Graffiti #1

Graffiti #2

There was a beauty pageant which I idiotically missed

A decent shot of the Andes in the distance

Pepitos!

She took orders on the laptop and processed them remotely, odd for a McDonald's

The center of the town had a big event going on

The busy street at night time

A shot on the way back from the rapids, I wish I had a better camera to capture the way this place truly looked

Rating: 6/10

-Reese

Buenos Aires, Argentina Feb 17-22, 2011

Let me prelude this entry by saying I wrote this about 8 months ago, but the site had a bug with hosting pictures, so I put my writing on a hiatus.  I will try to finish off the rest of my travels as I can so that I can start fresh when I head off to Europe in a few months, enjoy.

Traveling: I took the Busque Bus to get here (a ferry). Aboard it was like a cruise ship interior where you could sit wherever. The food selection was good, and it was easy to take a nap. The ride totaled 3 hours and it was very comfortable, I'd highly recommend it.  Below is a picture of this ferry.

Culture/Stuff about there: Buenos Aires is an extremely unique, amazing city. It boasts some world renowned steaks, as their meat is very good. It is also not very expensive, you can eat like a king and have red wine for a very reasonable price. The city is large, and it offers a large variety of things to do. One can take the subway over to Palermo and see the beautiful parks and relax, or catch a famous soccer match as I did. You can drink the streets, as well as enjoy the nightlife which seemingly never ends. Some clubs don't get going strong until 2am, and some are open until about 9am. Stores close mid day as in Europe for the siesta, and the people love their wine, food, and beer here. It has a European feel to it, with cheaper prices.

This was one of the first sites I saw when I was travelling to my hostel, a main area to the bustling city.

Language: Spanish, besides Brazil and some of the French owned countries up North, everywhere in South America speaks Spanish. It does change from location to location, just like how people speak differently in California than New York. It was nice to be able to try and recall some Spanish from high school, and attempt to start learning again. I did a little Rosetta Stone here, but knowing the key verbs is crucial to get points across, even if they are not used correctly.

Safety: I felt very safe here, it is the same as the other countries, don't go stumbling down a back alley while speaking solely English and you should be fine. At the soccer matches though they get very rowdy, so sit in a visitor section and go at your own risk.

Transportation: Car is the main means of transportation here, with some bikes and such. It is much like a US city with cars and the subway, and taxis.

Population: 15.2 Million

Currency: Argentinian Peso, about 4 pesos = 1 USD

Place Stayed at: Hostel Portal Del Sur. It was a nice hostel inside, but the crowd was too old, and the atmosphere was not one where people were up for going out to explore or going out. I would not recommend it, the Millhouse Hostel next door is so much fun, however I did not experience, but highly recommend it. You must book it well in advance though since it is so popular. I booked last second and that is why I could not stay there. This makes a huge difference in how much you will enjoy the trip, so don't put it off. 

View from 3rd floor

We didn't have much of a view off the balcony, but it was nice to have one nonetheless

Food: The steaks here are world known, and they lived up to the hype. Also, the wine is much cheaper than it is in the USA. I recommend gorging out here for terrific, relaxing meals that cost about half of what they would cost in the USA. It is also a large city, so you can find whatever food is to your liking.

This was a meal I sat down to outside w/ Peter to enjoy the crowd walking about

Beers/Drinks: Quilmes was the main beer I saw, and it was mediocre. The beer here is not to expensive, nor are the mixed drinks. Handles of alcohol are also very cheap here if that is what you like.

Entertainment: The nightlife is popping here, some good clubs don't get good until 2am and run until 9am, everything starts late here. You won't be disappointed here, there is so much to offer. There are lots of good clubs in Palermo which is a metro ride away.

Internet: I was in a hostel, but it is better here than most of South America

Sites to see/Things to do: There was this serene park located in Palermo. People were doing everything, from tight roping to soccer to street hockey. You could rent bikes, which we did, and casually ride around the park. Many people were jogging and rollerblading as well. There is a small pond, and unlike most crowded areas I am used to as a US citizen, this somehow remained calm. There was not loud noise, and it was just a super relaxing day.

I saw this inspiring Argentinian and figured I'd get in a quick workout myself, street style

Always amazed by what I see, didn't expect to run in to any Amish here

The nightlife is world known here, sadly I messed up this part of the trip and didn't find all the good nightlife, which typically gets good at 2am and runs until about 9am, thus making it a crazy city that fits my lifestyle and hours. I also went to a soccer game between Racing and the Boca Juniors which was fun. They don't sell tickets on the day of the games so buy them ahead of time or at the gate, people told us it was impossible to get them at the gate, but that was far from true. Watch out for the scalpers though, they all sell fake tickets. Also, you cannot drink in the stadium, but many people bring in marijuana, so pregame hard before hand if you want to be hammered during the game. Afterwards they block in the home team fans for a solid hour so there are no fights, that was just stupid. The food here is good also, stroll around and have a great big steak with red wine on the cobble stoned streets that let the air seep in to coolly breeze you while you prepare for your upcoming siesta.

Outside the stadium, downing some beers with some friends before heading in

Everyone smokes some mari J during the game if you want to partake, I had no idea it was going to be like that, but without selling beer to avoid chaos, it makes sense

Watch out, they held the home team fans for an hour so that no fights would ensue w/ the other teams fan, damnit...

Recommendation: Stay at Millhouse hostel, do there nightlife activities, and get to the park in Palermo. Also, attend a soccer game and enjoy the steaks and cheap wine. Almost anyone will have a good time here, you would have to try to not to.

Other Pics:

About to enter the park in Palermo, was playing around w/ color settings

Graffiti #1

Graffiti #2

Me and mah girl

Some shots around town with Peter:

Cheap great lunch together, they open the windows and a great breeze shoots through

Downtown

Tons of street vendors to go through looking for souvenirs

Peter and I after a long day seeing as much as we could

Rating: 9.5/10, this is a place I would definitely consider living in, and a destination I'd encourage most people to see at some point. It's a highly livable city, with cheap prices, great night life, and lots to do.

-Reese

Montevideo, Uruguay Feb 16th-Feb 18th, 2011

Traveling: I took a bus called the Santo Anjo from Punta del Este to Montevideo. I had not planned to stop in Montevideo, but it is the capital of Uruguay, and I had to bus there because my ferry left from here for Buenos Aires, so why not see it? The bus was comfortable and only took 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Culture/Stuff about there: It is a smaller city, the people are friendly. However, there is not too much to do, I’d recommend exactly what I did. Stay for one or two days, see the Ciudad Vieja, which translates to the Old City. It is actually very fun to see, and like a relaxed European looking city. However, at the time where it starts getting darker, and the sun begins to go down, get out of here, it looks very dangerous, and I was told to not be here late in the night. The other areas are semi neat, but nothing special.

A shot of the old city streets when it was a non-busy time

Language: Spanish, besides Brazil and some of the French owned countries up North, everywhere in South America speaks Spanish. It does change from location to location, just like how people speak differently in California than New York. It was nice to be able to try and recall some Spanish from high school, and attempt to start learning again. I did a little Rosetta Stone here, but knowing the key verbs such as:

Have - tener

Like - gustar

Am I able - poder

And

How do you say… …in Spanish - Como se dice… …en Espanol?

What is this - Que es esto?

By using these you can build upon your language skills.

Is very important. The best way by far to learn it is to understand the basics, and just attempt to ask questions and talk to people in Spanish. People are very willing to try helping once you show an effort to try. As I type this, it is difficult for me to type in English, because I am trying to learn Spanish, so some of my English vocabulary is not coming as easy to me, and I find myself speaking broken English here.

Safety: The normal areas are fine at night, but do not be in the Old City when it begins to get dark. Everything begins to shut down and more homeless people start to the line the street. It certainly is not the safest during the day time, but is worth a visit, and is fine if you are not aloof to your surroundings.

Transportation: Cabs were not too expensive, but everything you want to see is within a decent walking distance. Therefore I just recommend using the feet here instead of being like an American. If it is dark in an area and you are lost, hop in the cab like you would anywhere else to be safe, but that’s just common sense.

Population: ~1,400,000. However, with your location and what you see, you won’t experience it as a city with this many people living in it.

Currency: Uruguyan Peso. It is about 20 pesos to 1 USD, however USD are commonly accepted here. However, when they convert the price for you if it is listed in Uruguyan pesos, they typically make an extra 5% or so off of you. Therefore, I’d recommend carrying both currencies on you.

Place Stayed at: El Viajero Hostel (Ciudad Vieja), it was a nice hostel near the town square. The location was ideal for site seeing, although the sites here were nothing special at all. The rooms were tight and cramped, but the bathrooms were nice and clean with hot water. Also, there was a very nice rooftop terrace to drink and relax on. The staff were also very friendly and willing to give good advice on where to go and what to do/see. I certainly recommend this place.

The tight bunks at the hostel

Food: I ate more American style food here like burritos, so I did not experience the food for the area. However, common dishes ARE

Here is a random dish with cheese, it is commonly found in South America and was good

Beers/Drinks: Pilsner, Patricia, Zillertal – they were all decent, but nothing special

Entertainment: We went to a decent bar, myself, the Brazilians and the Chileans, it was fun and one of their better bars. It was chill and people can hang outside. A huge side note, the Brazilians brought a bottle of vodka, you can just simply mix and drink outside the bars to save money and go in, brilliant to know this, especially for anyone trying to stay on a budget.

My Brazilian and Chilean friends on the rooftop before we headed to a bar.

Internet: It seemed decent, but I couldn’t do anything very fast as I expected. It was not suitable for downloading/uploading, or doing anything where speed or connection was important, such as using Skype.

Sites to see/Things to do: A casino, but it’s pathetic compared to the US ones, about 20x smaller, with no loud music, and you pay for drinks, so with this on here it becomes obvious why it makes no sense to stay here for long. La Ciudad Vieja is very cool to see the rustic old buildings and cobble stoned pathways. They also have a theatre which was not impressive, as well as their tallest standing building, at only 26 stories. They also have a crappy small casino. They also have a nice little town square that is peaceful to hang out at, this is where there few sites are to be seen.

Town Square #1, yet another man on a horse, seemingly one in every South American country, most are of a great leader in the past, or a war hero.

Town Square #2, myself at the entrance to it

Town Square #3, a neat black and white shot w/ what I believe is the tallest building they have in Montevideo, standing at a non-impressive 26 stories high.

Teatro Solis a popular old theater here, it was not impressive or anything though.

Said crappy casino

Recommendation: Stop here on a connection between Punta del Este and Buenos Aires to relax for a day and see the old city, no more than this is needed, you can do much more fun stuff at other places.

Other Pics:

Graffiti #1, this girl is famous cartoon character in South America

Graffiti #2, almost like a fat buddha

Racy Maxim cover, I bought it in Spanish to learn some more. However, when I began to read later on I found out that it was more pornographic than Playboy in the US, who knew?

Random Statue #1

Random Statue #2

Rating: 6/10, it is a neat little city to stop in, but there is not much to do, and you are better off getting to a more happening city.

-Reese