Getting settled in Argentina

We have been in Argentina for just over a week. We arrived in Mendoza with 5 big suitcases (1 didn't make it from Santiago, but was later delivered) filled with everything from clothes, to batteries, ample sunscreen and lots and lots of books. Mendoza is beautiful. It looks a lot like Cape Town, South Africa, with the huge Andes Mountains serving as a backdrop to its dry but fruitful terrain. Mendoza is famous for its wine. Vineyards line the highway on either side as you drive in from the airport.

We are staying in a lovely two bedroom house on the finca. The finca is actually in the town of Lujan de Cuyo, which is about 10 minutes from downtown Mendoza. There are two parrots and four parakeets that live in a cage outside the front door of the house. They sleep when it is dark and wake at dawn, which is usually around 6:00 a.m. As the agronomist said, "The house is very peaceful...except for the parrots." One of the parrots speaks Spanish and greets everyone with an Hola, morning, noon and night. He also insults the groundskeeper calling him loco. They are an endless source of entertainment for us. We eat, work, and, of course, play outside. Mark, Annabel and Rebecca like to swim in the pool , and Julie likes to paint under the weeping willow trees.

The vineyard is adjacent to the house. It is 10 hectares of Malbec grape vines. The grapes are a deep purple and are very sweet. They will be ready for harvest in the fall (spring in the U.S.). We are all excited for the harvest. Annabel and Rebecca like walking through the vineyard and taking pictures.

Our first week was spent getting organized: arranging for a car, internet and phone service. We've gone into Mendoza practically every day and have enjoyed eating at restaurants, connecting at internet cafes, and just generally exploring. On Saturday, we went to Mendoza's big city park called Parque San Martin named after the Argentine general who helped free the Argentines from Spanish rule. We walked through the rose garden and had the opportunity to hear an Argentine rock band play covers from AC/DC. Next weekend we hope to go to the Mendoza zoo.

As the only Spanish speaker, Mark has had the daunting task of having to speak for us all. Julie, Annabel and Rebecca have signed up for Spanish classes which start next week. So, hopefully, within a few weeks, we will all be able to communicate. The Argentinians have been very welcoming, warm and helpful. The agronomist and manager of the finca have shown us where to go, what to do, arranged for internet service, helped us secure a car....without them, we would have had to rely on the parrots. And we're not sure yet whether they are friend or foe.