Mendozz Part II

We woke up for our second day in Mendoza to perfect weather. PER-FECT. Like 83 degrees and blue blue skies. While everybody else was still sleeping, I went for a little run through the streets of Mendoza -- HUGE difference from Buenos Aires; honestly, it felt more like running through Northfield. I saw maybe 20 people out and about, and when I needed to cross the street, no car tried to run me over. Glorious. The city is so so charming, and hitting it mid-springtime was perfect. Mendoza has like 8 plazas and a gigantic park (more about that tomorrow) with fountains and flowery trees, plus the gorgeous European architecture of Buenos Aires. (Plus a backdrop of the mountains.) I'm becoming increasingly in love with running as a way to see a city -- at the same time as exercising, I can really see the architecture and inhabitants of a place (fo free). Alllllll about multitasking.

After I got back and everyone had showered (and eaten the continental breakfast, which consisted of flaky bread, jam, and dulce de leche [really 'breakfast' in Argentina could be better classified as 'morning dessert']), we put on our swimsuits and boarded a 7.50 peso ($1.75) bus to a thermal spa an hour away, not sure what to expect but enjoying the idea of relaxing next to natural rock pools.

The therma park ended up far surpassing my expectations. Mendoza is a desert city, so the outer mountains are dry/rocky/orangeish/resemble my idea of New Mexico. Nestled into the canyons was this park with rock pools upon rock pools, a lazy river, waterfalls, flowers and cacti.
We sunbathed and swam in the cold water pools during the heat of the day, ate two dollar hamburgers and drank beer at lunch, then attempted to hike (though only Garrett's freakishly long legs could rock-hop across one creek, so the rest of us skipped rocks and chilled in the canyon). When it got colder in the evening, we sat in the hot pools (actually boiling) until it was time to catch the bus back. Had Mexican food for dinner (margs! they don't have margs anywhere here! though it felt like blasphemy to drink tequila in wine country) outdoors and chatted until bedtime.

ummmmmmm HI, actually paradise

Garrett crossed the rocks to the other side of the river like a champ.

And the rest of us just chilled in this canyon valley.

Every single one of us unintentially got sunburnt to the max -- my lips have been dry for 10 days now.

Tomorrow: horseback riding through the Andes -- alllmost too much for me to handle.