My first full day in Mendoza, what to do? Having scoffed down a fairly lavish breakfast a long walk seemed like a good option. It's very cloudy and i'm assured by reception it will stay that way, perfect conditions for a hike through town and upto the viewpoint "Cerro de la Gloria" in the main park.
The centre of town is Plaza Independencia with four smaller plazas two blocks out on the diagonal. X marks the spot so to speak. The main square is a bit dull, loads of rip off corner bars and a few expensive restaurants and hotels. Amongst the four smaller ones plaza españa, on the south east diagonal, stands out. Wonderful tile work on the fountains and benches (a photo will follow - photoshop permitting).
An hour later and i've reached the entrance of the main park to the west of town. Huge wrought iron gates and a couple of lions (statues) greet you. Very grand but i'm already getting a bad feeling, there's a sodding great road going through the park and worse still the sun's coming out, it's one pm and my sunscreen is in my other rucksack - oops.
Sod it, off i set. This park is much bigger than it looks, takes an hour to reach the base of the summit, got lost a few times mainly because i was trying to avoid the roads that seem to be strewn randomly around, a bizarre design. Thankfully i bump into a park ranger who points out the winding trail i have to follow. I am starting to burn and there's not much shade. Make my map into a hat.
3 cigarettes later i reach the top, a wonderful climb bar the odd car passing by giving me odd looks. The view slowly unravelled and seemed to be a perfect demonstration of that short film yesterday. Mendoza is spreading and it ain't pretty. The mountains in the distance are behind clouds and the main statue is cordoned off. Basically anyone that drove up has wasted their time, those that walked will have thoroughly enjoyed the climb. I'll go back later in the week, when it's clear, to get a butchers of Aconcagua (6900m mountain) in the distance.
The sun's gone in, but i'm not looking forward to seeing my face in a mirror. Two hours back, knackered and am face to face with a very red me. Good excuse to lie down, chill out and recover for the evening festivities. Head out for a few beers with an Aussie geezer, he's knackered, he travelled here overnight and heads for the hostel, there's a casino round the corner ummm.....
5am i stagger out, wasn't quite the George Best moment in Ushuaia but still ended up 125 pesos up having had a thoroughly good laugh. A good business opportunity - casino's in Argentina. The locals clearly have no idea how to play Blackjack, some extraordinary "hit me" decisions, all good if your the "house".
Whilst writing this i have been watching the FA Cup live text on the net and as usual my predictions are pathetic. C'est la vie.
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