Week Dos

Sunday started with a celebration for Kate's 25th birthday! Mimosas and french toast for breakfast. Then we went "white" water rafting (actually brown due to tiny grains of silt). After, we stopped at our favorite local brewery, Jerome's... We tried some new beers and enjoyed their homemade sausages, but the best part is still their incredible house mustard. We also hung out at our landlord's typical Sunday asado- the men played guitars, sang in honor of the host, enjoyed some beer, and of course some dancing.


Later in the evening we cut a dulce de leché cake in Kate's honor.



This week, we finally received grapes (Petit Verdot and Malbec). That has kept all of us fairly busy, plus makes work more exciting.







Scott and Bill (Kate's uncles) were traveling for pleasure to Argentina and planned a trip to Mendoza before they knew we were coming. They arrived on Wednesday and we had a delicious dinner with them in Mendoza, although totally surreal to see them here. Friday night, after a long day of crushing, they picked us up and had another amazing dinner at a nearby winery/hotel. On Saturday, the four of us went into Mendoza and explored the craft stands in the Plaza Independencia and even made a few purchases. Most artisans are making their goods right there in the park, mostly typically jewelry. We enjoyed a coffee, then went to lunch at the Park Hyatt and sat outside overlooking the Plaza Independencia. Although we haven't been down here long, it was very refreshing to see family (but difficult once they left). Their flight was that evening, so we said goodbye and then the two of us wandered the city and its plazas.


We stopped at Vines of Mendoza, a wine bar, where we tried a wine flight blind and then guessed the varieties. Got 4 out of 5 right! We shopped at another wine shop and later met up with the other interns to celebrate Hannah's birthday and St. Patrick's Day.

- Martin & Kate

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Location:Av Acceso Sur,Luján de Cuyo,Argentina

Our First Week

On our first Friday in Mendoza, the winery invited us to an asado (Argentinian BBQ) which they do every week. Delicious meat! We met the employees and owners. Everyone was exceptionally welcoming and excited to have us join them for the harvest.








We toured the winery...





and met our sweet ride... Fiat Uno.


That night we (all of us 5 interns) drove into Mendoza city (about 20 minutes north) for the Festival de la Vendimia. It's a harvest parade where the queens from each town of Mendoza rode on extravagant floats down the main street. Lots of people crowding the streets and little girls wearing crowns.

On Saturday, we decided to take a hike together as a bonding experience. We drove an hour into the Andes to a town called Potrerillos.





We hiked for an hour and a half and then quenched our thirst at a nearby brewery, Jerome's.


We shared some delicious homemade sausages, lot of fries and tasty craft beer. They have some pretty amazing homemade mustard!

That night we explored the nightlife in the city of Mendoza with the highlight being a wine bar, Vines of Mendoza, where we tasted flights of Malbec wines.

The two of us and Hannah started bright and early on Monday. Our shift was 6am-6pm. Tony and Evan volunteered for the night shift 6pm-6am shift. All the Chardonnay was received before we arrived, so the first week consisted of cleaning, racking, topping and more cleaning. Nevertheless it has been very interesting to see their procedures and impressive attention to detail.

We lucked out and all the interns were given Friday off, but of course we couldn't miss the asado! so we brought some brownies to share. In the intern house, Friday is now simply referred to as "asado"... A highlight to our week.

More to come soon!

- Martin & Kate

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Location:Unnamed Rd,Mendoza,

Mendoza, Our New Home

On March 1st, our alarm went off at 4:15am. We, sleepily, got everything together and Vicky and Sebastian drove us to the airport. Our flight departed at 7:10am, and we landed in Buenos Aires two hours later. With four hours until our next flight, we decided to walk outside a little. It was slightly sprinkling, but we strolled along the river's edge. It was so big and vast, we first thought it was the ocean.


We walked for awhile and stood near the runway watching planes take off and land.

Eventually we went back inside, shared a pizza for lunch and around 1:30pm, boarded our plane. These were some of the views looking down on BA.





Landed in Mendoza where we were picked up by a cab driver that Viña Cobos sent. He drove us 30 minutes from the city to our new home for the next two months.

We met two other interns, Evan and Hannah, both Californians. The place is small but cozy. We have a nice outdoor area and a pool that we share with the landlords. Check out the view.


We went to the local grocery store and made dinner.

One of Hannah's friends invited us to what we thought would be a casual tasting with other interns. We brought a few grocery store bottle of wine and cheese, crackers and questionable salami. When we arrived, it turned out to be an industry tasting with winemakers, managers and PR representatives. Let's just say our wine, nor the salami, were people's favorites. We did meet lots of interesting people. One guy who works for a small winery, Pequeña Bodega, which is owned by his family. He was very welcoming and invited us to have an asada (Argentinian BBQ) with him. We definitely hope to visit.

- Martin & Kate

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Location:Unnamed Rd,Mendoza,

Last Days in Paraguay

For our last two days in Paraguay, we enjoyed life as Paraguayans. We swam at the pool each morning, went for a walk in the park, had massages and manicures and pedicures at the house, sipped coffee with Vicky and her friends, and even bought a traditional skirt for Kate.






We also went and got Martin a haircut, which he hadn't really had since being in New York.
Before...





After...



- Martin & Kate

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Iguazu

Up bright and early. Joined Vicky and Sebastian for the breakfast buffet at the hotel. After stuffing ourselves with local treats, we walked to the entrance of the park, grabbed our tickets and hopped on the double-deck bus that dropped us at the beginning of the trail to the falls.

Almost as soon as we disembarked, we could see the impressive falls from afar. Shortly thereafter we learned these were just the prelude to what would later come.


We walked on a trail above the river that with each turned revealed another set of waterfalls.


As though these weren't enough entertainment, we still got a laugh out of the Asian tour groups and their never ending photos complete with peace signs. Lots of teammates.

After walking for 45 minutes, we reached the final broadwalk that was built between two sets of waterfalls; you could look down on one (for an adrenaline rush) or up (for an Ansel Adams-like picture).











The humidity did wonders to our hair (see Martin).

After soaking it in, we headed to the snack bar where we made a new friend, who loved soda!


He even took advantage of a scared, unsuspecting tourist when he causally climbed on his vacant chair (looking cute) and preceded to quickly snatch his can of apple juice. He burrowed under the table and then, using his long claws to steady the can, he licked it clean. Sneaky! This innocent tourist wasn't the only victim.

After, we browsed a few gift shops and then went to lunch at the hotel in the park. It looked like it was inspired by a Spanish villa with beautiful tile work, well-kept gardens and bright colored walls. We enjoyed a delicious lunch off the prix fixe menu and bottle of rosé to quench our thirst. (It was about 90 degrees and humid.)

Satisfied, we began our four hour trip back to Asuncion with a quick tour of Cuidad del Este. Enjoyed soup and salad at home before heading to bed.

- Martin & Kate

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Location:Iguazu, Brazil

Countryside drive

We woke up early so that we could start our drive to the Iguazu Falls. Left around 10am and drove from Asuncion across the countryside, passing endless cattle ranches. There are 6 million people in Paraguay and 17 million cows. Beef and soy beans are their main export. People in the country own a few cows and let them just graze on the side of the roads. The babies were extra cute, as were the horses (obviously). We learned there are few driving laws that are regulated (and abided by) but the only one to be enforced regularly is that every driver has to have their lights on at all times.

After about 4 hours, we reached Cuidad del Este, which is on the Paraguay/Brazil border. The city's economy is centered around selling goods to Brazilians at a much cheaper rate. We saw many people crossing the bridge by foot with huge bags full of purchases. For those who didn't want to walk, they chose motorcycle taxis, which swarmed the streets like wasps. It was complete mayhem; it's like New York's China Town on steroids.

We crossed the border into Brazil without any problems and drove to our hotel, San Martín. There, we took a walk through their jungle "gardens" that went for a few kilometers to a river overlook. We saw some beautiful flowers, plants and trees, including banana, limes (which Vicky permanently borrowed), and guava. We were impressed at how dense the jungle was.

Later we enjoyed dinner at the hotel restaurant and an after dinner drink. Hit the hay early so we could leave for the falls in the morning.


- Martin & Kate

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Location:Asunción, Paraguay