I was warned that one of the first things I'd notice about Argentina is that the people don't look much like other South Americans. It's true. The majority of Argentina's population is of European descent - particularly from Spain and Italy. It's living up to it's other stereotypes as well: The people are great, the Spanish is fast and quirky (but very intelligible), the wine is fantastic, and the beef the best in the world.
I spent my first few days in Argentina in Mendoza - the heart of Argentina's wine country - and smack in the middle of a heat wave. It hit 40 degrees every day I was there, but any place where wine is less expensive then water is ok in my books. Those who know BC's Okanagan Valley would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two landscapes. Mendoza is a quiet university town that for the most part could be any quiet, older city in North America except that it draws climbers from around the world who wish to summit nearby Aconcagua - the world's highest peak outside of Asia.
I'm now in Cordoba, Argentina's second-largest city. This (not so quiet) university city lays claim to one of the better medical faculties in the world, some amazing architecture, and a whopping inferiority complex to Buenos Aires. A short stay here and record-high temperatures will probably keep me from getting out around town much.
Posted by dhuska at January 7, 2004 09:03 PMLeave it to dave, to go a school on his vacation.
Posted by: Primo at January 16, 2004 02:41 PM