Thursday, November 12, 2009
Iguazu Falls, ARGENTINA
We were blessed with one really nice day while here. That was the day we went to see the falls. And that’s really all that matters. We took a short jungle tour by jeep before boarding an inflated speedboat of sorts. Everyone prepped themselves to be soaked. I’d worn my bathing suit but my modesty kept me from taking off the sundress I had over it. If I’d seen the old women stripping down to their knickers before getting on the impossibly complicated life jacket, I probably would’ve followed suit. Old French women just don’t give a damn. A ways out from the falls we were flying through rapids I hadn’t expected. It felt like white water rafting on speed! I couldn’t understand how we weren’t flipping over but it was great. Ahhhh!!!! We sped up to the falls. They were spilling over a huge plateau in sheets of chocolatey water that free flew into suspended moments of blown glass bubbles and then burst into white water. Approaching Devil’s Throat, the biggest of them all, is as close as it gets. It’s so incredibly thunderous that you’re soaked from what looked like a half mile away. The earth shook. It was what I imagine the Grand Canyon would look like with water pouring over it. As fun as this was, my favorite moment was on the lower trail. There was a long metal walkway that perched out almost precariously close to the center of the falls. Walking down the walkway, the water, wind and vibrations from the sheer force of copious amounts of water pulled hard by gravity over giant cliffs intensify physically and audibly until you are literally swept up by it so that your heart is inflated with air and you can’t stop laughing and smiling. I did it again and again, just walking to the end and walking away. I was screaming with laughter. Everyone did the same. Men, women, and children all opened their arms and took in the tremendous feeling. Later as we walked the many pathways that take in the breadth of the falls, I realized I recognized that feeling. I remembered walking down the aisle when Bobby and I were married. I was so overjoyed at that moment it felt like I was floating and I couldn’t stop smiling. I don’t know if I was smiling on the outside. But, on the inside, it felt the same as walking into those falls. There really aren’t words for moments like that. You just try and hang onto them whenever you can.
K. . . .
Mendoza, ARGENTINA
Before going into our trip to Mendoza specifically, I’d first like to scream from the hypothetical rooftop of this blog, “The buses in Argentina are incredible!!!”
We took an overnight bus to Mendoza from Buenos Aires (about 16 hours) complete with a champagne toddy before bed. The seats recline to a full bed position, multiple movie options play constantly, you are fed meals every few hours, and I now LOVE our travel days! This is the best way to travel in Argentina. And I have to say I came to look forward to our overnight bus rides, if you can imagine. It’s that fun.
Now, back to Mendoza, a truly lovely area skirting the northern part of Patagonia and Argentina’s version of Napa Valley. The area is especially famous for the Malbec wine it produces. In fact, the Malbec in Argentina is so superior that new guidelines mandate a Malbec can only come from Mendoza. And I couldn’t agree more with their decision. I’ve had this type of wine before and was never a fan. I’ve found a Mendozan Malbec is scrumptious and definitely a good way to go when having steak.
With an ever-shrinking budget, we could only afford one major activity here. Because of its’ location, you can do all kinds of trekking, camping, biking and/or horse riding tours. But, being most famous for its’ wine, the decision to go on a wine tasting tour was easy. And, though this is the only fond memory I have of our three days here (the others involve spending a good deal of the day lost exploring the town on day 1 and being lost for endless hours in their very inconveniently laid out park for hours on end on day 3), I’ll take quality over quantity any day. But, if someone out there in Mendoza is listening, you really should provide accurate maps to tourists! It's too damn hot to get lost!
Okay, so here's the thing. I have a new favorite hobby! I can hardly think of an afternoon when we’ve had so much fun and learned so much at the same time. The balance of those two on par like never before. It was a completely indulgent day for the senses, bordering on spiritual. No, it was spiritual. First, you get to explore the dramatic countryside as you drive from one winery to another. Then, once you arrive, they take you through and teach you all about the practices, theories and processes. You can walk around the vineyards and bask in the sunshine, taking in lovely mountain views that surround. Finally, you swill and swish and bubble and inhale and slurge and laugh and drink and drink and DRINK (sips mind you) in a literal cornacopea of wines and, with each, a new set of taste combinations, aromas, textures and, ultimately, experiences. After, they send you on your way to indulge in a whole new set of experiences at another winery off into the distance. Sometimes you are standing in a new and gorgeously built facility. And sometimes you are in a two hundred year old barn. But always there is the smell of oak and earth. And your senses can’t help but sing in your head for the harmony of it all. By the time lunch rolled around, everyone was best friends. And we had a five course spread you’d have to see to believe.
Not to get loopy, but this touched the core of my Venus and Mars in Taurus. It’s the best thing since sliced bread.
For my New York friends: We are going on a wine tasting tour upstate!!!
And for my family: We are going on a wine tasting tour in California!!!
And to Mendoza: Thank you for a fine, fine time...
K. . . . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)