Overnight at Río Mendoza

After some thoughtful planning, I left downtown Mendoza on Friday the 13th and headed towards Luján de Cuyo - past the colorful vineyards, towering poplars, and premium wine cellars southwest of the capital. Lucho, a good friend and outdoor enthusiast, rode along on this scenic bike ride that extended past Blanco Encalada. Here are some highlights...

It felt wonderful to escape the city and return to the great outdoors - clean air, green fields, and mountain peaks in the background. In many ways, I felt like I was back home...with natural elements of both Virginia and Utah. The open countryside offers a unique variety of smells - fresh cut grass, wine fermentation, burning compost, and a combination of onion and garlic fields. For those of you familiar with Argentina's interior, burning compost is a common scent in the air (especially in Salta and Tucumán). Before arriving to our campsite, we veered off the highway and entered a quiet community similar to those rural outposts of the northwest. There, we packed our bags with drinks and cheap hot dogs.

Lucho knows the area better than most. He led us down a bumpy trail of rocks and dust before finding a small island of sand resting along the Mendoza River. Colas de zorro (foxtail plants) lined the shore, with a clear view of the Andean foothills in the distance.

After searching for firewood, we set up our tent and headed into the river for a late afternoon swim. The frigid temperature didn't bother us much, but the current was much stronger than expected. We have proof...

Before leaving home, I was in a rush to turn in some final writing assignments. Being in such a hurry, Tania decided to help out by packing my bag. Unfortunately, she forgot to include my flip-flops. Lucho let me borrow his as we ventured into the water in search of some possible "replacements". Within 10 minutes, we found 8 random flip-flops stuck along the riverside weeds. No pairs. No matches. While kind of gross, it does make you wonder how many one-legged swimmers actually enjoy the river?

With the sun going down, it was time to start the fire...and dinner: those good ol' cheap hot dogs.

The fire lasted a good five hours. A few of the dead roots we found made for some interesting firewood. We then fell asleep...under a near full moon and clear night sky. That far from the city, almost every star can be seen.

The next morning brought a brilliant sunrise across the river's rippled surface. We packed up early and jumped back on our bikes.

The return trip home was a quiet ride along tree-lined avenues...with those dang Andes Mountains always showing up in every photo! To finish our ride, we pulled off the road and entered a picturesque vineyard just outside Luján. With the radiant sun overhead, we scoured the vines for Mendoza's trademark grapes. After taking a few pictures, mingled with the occasional tasting, we got back on the road and ended our latest journey here in western Argentina.

Don't You Wish Your Bike...Was Hot Like Mine?

Once again, we must recognize the creative efforts of Argentina youth. Here, in San Juan, we find ourselves walking towards the bus terminal for our return trip home. However, something grabs Dallin's attention...and we find ourselves admiring these Argentine West Coast Choppers :)

These young men rebuild - or redesign - old bicycles with some very unique features. They then head to the bustling terminal to sell them for profit. The striking orange bike above comes complete with solid black rims and a customized blowtorch on the side - a true necessity for every outdoor excursion.

Below, we find our next model - a jet black bicycle with one very important feature: speakers! Yes, the next time you're on the run, be sure to bring your regetón with you...so the whole neighborhood can hear! Dallin found this specific model quite fascinating...

Disclaimer: Dallin learned those moves from his father...those are not latino genes.

Wordless Wednesday: The Evolution of Home Security Systems...All in the Same Neighborhood

Our Brothers & Sisters del Norte

This year - 2009 - marks 10 years since Tania and I first arrived to Argentina's northwest as full-time missionaries. What a joy it was to labor among the kindest of people inside the region's most humble communities. Our time in Salta left an everlasting impression on our lives...and the lives of others.

Unfortunately, today's news reports from Salta indicate a massive mudslide has devastated the town of Tartagal in the northern limits of the province (outside Bolivia). More than 10,000 residents have been evacuated following torrential rainfall...which swept away a principle bridge in town.

We know that many of our friends back home are quite familiar with this area. I clearly recall such rainstorms in the north, often flooding villages and toppling makeshift homes. May we pray for the safety of those affected in Tartagal...a region often overlooked.

Curbside Car Service

The stoplight turns red...which is their green light to start working.

They wake up early, head into the city, and stake their claim on the most convenient street corner downtown. This is their spot. This is their routine. There are several other street corners...but the congested avenues are already taken.

With squeegees in hand, and a bucket of watered down glass cleaner, these three cousins anxiously wait for cars to line up every 30 seconds - their new "potential clients". The cousins quickly weave around cars, offering their curbside service to all those interested. In most cases, drivers shoo them away with a brisk brush of the hand, or simply roll up their windows to avoid contact. The light then turns green...and they return to their corner and wait.

A few drivers might allow them to clean the occasional windshield. In such cases, all three cousins rush over as a team and hastily soak, wash, and dry all the windows on the car - quite the 20 second workout! Some drivers offer a few coins in return. Others offer cigarettes. Some say, "I'll pay you tomorrow"...while others simply drive off. Credit cards are not accepted :)

Together, as a team, they earn about U$1.00 every 30 minutes. At the end of the day, they split the money among themselves before returning home. One is a father of 2 kids. None of them go to school.

While this might not be a dignified job for some, at least they are not stealing. Instead, they are making a living in a way most people could never imagine. As one cousin told us, "We come from a bad place. But that doesn't mean we aren't good people."

It might not be pretty, but this is an integral part of local culture in Argentina...and we admire it.

Wordless Wednesday: Check Out My Jersey!

Parque de Agua

We spent Wednesday up in the mountains at Cacheuta Water Park. We had wanted to visit for some time and finally decided to hit the road with some friends.

The park was quite clean. A casual "lazy river" wraps around the main pool with some amazing riverside scenery. Andean foothills embrace the park below with poplar trees outlining the perimeter. Picnic tables and grills are set up under the trees with plenty of room for traditional asados. As for the one water slide, I (Wade) got stuck in the middle and had to scoot myself down. Someone obviously tore down the sign that said, "No Large Gringos".

Here we are in the thermal pools located on the upper level. Several pools are scattered inside the park, all varying in temperature. We just about fell asleep in this one.

And after a long day in the sun, we all returned to our table to feast...well, except for one.

Wordless Wednesday: Summer Concert Series

Another Way to Survive the Heat...

For those of you that have spent a summer inside Argentina - during the hottest months between December and March - this is a good reminder of how hot the weather can be. And for those of you trying to imagine Argentina in the summer, use this post as a reference. It's just not right for beads of sweat to rise from every pore on your forearm.

With the rising temperatures, neighborhood kids will "unlawfully" turn on the local fire hydrants five or six times a day. It's an easy way to cool off before moving along. All you need is a friend (to be on the lookout for police) and a stick (to turn the underground valve)...and you've got a geyser!

Here's a video taken from the backyard of my parents' home...check it out:

The Harvest is Approaching...

While most do not consider grapes to be symbols of the yuletide season, such fruit is indicative of December here in Argentina. With summer in full swing, and the radiant sun overhead, local valleys are bursting with color as grapes begin to fill the numerous vineyards cultivated in the shadow of the Andes Mountains. The harvest is quickly approaching...which will be celebrated in early March during La Vendimia.

This past week, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Tania's family in the sun-drenched province of San Juan. Their backyard, while small and quaint, is overflowing with lemon trees, peach trees, and even an obnoxious rooster. But the highlight is the shaded patio constructed by my father-in-law. Made of broken tree limbs, the canopy extends into the backyard from the main house, providing shade for those who would like to spend the afternoon drinking mate. At this time of year, the canopy provides plenty of grapes hanging from the multiple vines that wrap around the twisted branches of the canopy. Here are some "homegrown" photos...

just another day...for you and me...in Buenos Aires

So, I was back in Buenos Aires once again. Another long overnight bus ride...a quick overnight stay in the city...and a long trip back home.

While there, I had the privilege to share lunch with several members of our American Embassy - what wonderful people! On Friday (for Halloween), the Embassy was decorated with plenty of spiderwebs and ghouls so that American children (of government employees) could enjoy an old-fashioned haunted house and some afternoon trick-or-treating. In fact, some employees were wearing the traditional black and orange colors (with a few festive sweaters). It was nice to see traditions from home...despite the 90 degree weather!

So, as always, it is time to post pictures of another new destination inside Buenos Aires. This time, I spent a few hours inside the Japanese Gardens of Palermo. This is a very peaceful retreat despite the hustle and bustle of such a large metropolis. Enjoy the pictures...and a special treat at the end!






Right in front of the US Embassy is a beautiful open park. Many professional "dog walkers" come here in the afternoon. This man alone is in charge of 40 different dogs from owners across the city - French Bulldogs, Retrievers, Boxers, etc. As you can see, they are quite friendly and often chase down others inside the park to play catch. The most amazing part? None of the dogs had leashes!!!

This Month in The ENSIGN...

Yesterday, I had the true pleasure to accompany a very special group of friends into the vast wine region of Uco Valley, Mendoza. Ann Monson Dibb (Second Counselor, LDS Young Women General Presidency) and Silvia H. Allred (First Counselor, LDS Relief Society General Presidency) were here in Mendoza to provide a training session for multiple stakes.

President and Sister Lindahl (LDS Mendoza Argentina Mission) asked me to come along for a day tour and provide some historical insight as we drove towards Tupungato and the flourishing vineyards of Bodega Salentein. While none of us drink wine, we did enjoy a personal visit through the luxurious wine cellars of Salentein, a Dutch investment now attracting tourists worldwide for its modern design and fine art museum.

It was a joy to hear the testimonies and experiences of both sisters. This week alone, they will provide training sessions in Mendoza, Salta, Buenos Aires, and parts of Uruguay and Paraguay. Both Sister Allred and Sister Dibb are true examples of service as they continue to commit their time and efforts on behalf of the church. We shared great stories and good laughs...especially when learning more about Sister Dibb's dear father!

And where did we go for lunch? La Tupiña, of course!