Am I really returning to the states in less than two weeks?? I can´t beive it. I have been traveing in Latin America for one year now. Somehow I just thought that my trip would never end. If you are still following my blog then thanks for your lingering interest and support in Sporatical Sabbatical. I am excited to see you apon my return! :)
I have been in Mendoza the last two moths. When Emily and I arrived in Mendoza, after our 20 hour bus ride coming from Bariloche, the best thing happened to us. Our couchsurfing contact we were planning to stay with did not answer our various phone calls. So, we made our way downtown and found Monkey Hostel. After Emily left, I found everything I wanted from Monkey Hostel: a community of family and friends, and work. The last two months I have been living with the hostel owners family. Working kinda like an au-pair, helping take care of their energetic, clever and nearly tri-lengual 4 year old daughter. I have also been giving some English classes, and helping out at Monkey Hostel and Casa Mendoza Andes Bed & Breakfast. I am fortunate I came across the hostel. I have spent quite alot of my time there, and I have really enjoyed making friends with the staff and forgein travelers that pass through the hostel.
This month of July tourism has BOOMED- for Copa America! Which is an international futbol (soccer) ternimant for South American national teams. It is held every other year, and this year Argentina is hosting the games. Unfortunately, Argentina is out. The final match is this Sunday between Paraguay and Uruguay- not at all teams that people were expecting to make the finals. Futbol fanatics have come from all over South America, filled the city (especially our Chilean neighbors and rivals), and shown me a new level of latin passion! I have never seen such die hard fans like this. Devout followers dress up in their country colors, wear flag capes, gather and parade in the city before the matches, and cheer pridefully in support of their country.
Other Mendoza highlights have been: horse back riding and snowboarding in the Andes (Penitentes- incredible views, but has nothing on Mt. Baker); eating and participating in Argentina's favorite social meal parrilla (BBQ!); nearing drinking Mendoza dry of their Malbec red wines, yerba mate teas, and fernet cocktails. Everyday is a sunny, but (now)cold winter, day in Mendoza. I am looking forward to summer in Washington, though I have heard Washington is having a hard time figuring out what summer is...!
I have fallen in love with Argentina and its people. I owe a big thanks to everyone who has made the last leg of my trip- my family, moneky hostel staff, fellow travelers, futbol fanatics, couchsurfers, and my students. On a grander scheme of things, thank you Mexico, Colmbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina for sharing with me your rich culures, traditions, foods, philosophies, histories, diversities, geographies, ways of living, thinking and perseving. What an inpresionable year it has been! You have open my mind to new ideas and provoked more curiosity within me. I am hopeing that life helps me cross paths again with compañeros from South America, and I am looking forward to reconnecting with North American compadres. Nos vemos pronto EEUU!!!
abrzos, besos y con amor,
Courtnita
