Mendoza, Argentina

Well folks, just got back from Argentina. Spent this last weekend in Mendoza, which is about an 8 hour bus ride east through the Andes Mountains. It was such a neat experience and fun time! Too many stories and jokes to tell!

The view on the way was incredible as we all marveled at the Andes Mountains, and joked about how we have the same picture about 20 different ways. Going through the customs/immigration into Argentina was no problem at all.






Surprisingly, there is a big difference between Argentina and Chile. I didn't think there would be a significant difference at least between Mendoza and Chile, but there was. Argentinians seem more put togther, more calm and laid back. They definitely have more a European, rather than indigenous look, speak slower and better than Chileans, and things are CHEAP there! I think the other shocker was not to be living so crowded or on top of each other. We weren't on a hill, but it a nice plain with space to move around.

The next day we took a bike tour throughout the countryside of Mendoza. Someone likened Mendoza to the Wine Country in California. It has many vineyards and farmers in the area. It was such a beautiful ride to different vineyards and an olive oil plantation/factory that had a delicious sampling of chocolates, marmalaides, olive oils and olives. This one was by far our favorite. It was a cute, mom-and-pop, antique feel. Here's an artsy-craftsy shots of it.





It's a toss up whether we looked like the circus was coming to town or a bike gang.


From there we biked to a restaurant in the middle-of-nowhere to eat some tasty empanadas in the countryside sitting on a bail of hay. What fun but exhausting time biking around! After the bike tour, a few of us ventured to a eat Argentinian steak. We were told that they have good and very cheap steaks! For the first time ever, I, Allison Johnston, ordered a steak dinner. I enjoyed it as well!





Sunday, we decided to walk. All morning long three of us, walked to 3 of the plazas that were named and gifted from different countries. The fourth is named after a founding father, but they are situated in a square shape with a major plaza, Plaza Independencia, in the middel of them. There is a 6-7 block radius between the 4 out-lying plazas. Needless to say, it was lot of walking but a good time exploring the plazas and a famous chocolate shop in Argentina.

We came to the conclusion that Plaza Italia was the best plaza, complete with teeter-totters, slides swings and a spinny-thingy. Plaza Espana was the second best with beautiful tiling and fountain, as well as, a decent playground. Plaza Chile, however, disappointed us dearly. The fountain didn't work, the playground was minimal and that's about it. A bust for sure.

After our unsaid battle of the plazas, we met the rest of the group in the massive public park in Mendoza. It holds a lake, their zoo, soccer stadium and much more. It was a gorgeous and massive park. We finally rested a bit, ate empanadas and explored the park grounds. It is here that we came upon a display by the government of Mendoza/Argentina, I think to promote the park, with the police band playing and traditional folkloric dancers. It was quite entertaining to watch! The little boy below in the pink shirt was my favorite! The one with the sweet pants and beret was also up there! They were precious dancing around with ladies almost 2 feet taller than themselves! After the police band came the boy scouts. Who knew they were international?!











Following the park, we passed the time shopping in art markets. We topped the night of splitting a kilo of ice cream together for a splendid trip to Argentina! The next morning we traveled back to Chile on a double-decker bus! We were excited about that and once again took some more Andes Mountains pictures.






After spending nearly 2 hours trying to enter back into the country at Chilean Customs and Immigration, we made through. Chile sure is a stickler on their border protection/control. It was an intense process, but it was good time to marvel at the snow that we were standing in?! Such extreme weather changes.





All in all, it was a great trip to Argentina. I truly loved Mendoza! However I am excited to back in Chile as the festivities kick up for Fiesta Patrias. Flags were out in full-swing on our bus ride back making us eager for the many days of activities and celebrations to come!

Pesos por Besos

So after a lovely evening at Union Cristiana a group of 15 Americans and Chileans went to eat empanadas. We couldn't find a place that could take us, thus we went to Pizza Hut. While there a wandering musical group of students dressed like "Robin Hood Men in Tights" characters came into the restaurant to entertain us for with their witty and charming musical show.

One guy was leaping and bounding while kicking his tambourine. Impressive to say the least and comical. After their little show, we all gave a few pesos out of courtesy. [By the way, it's normal for something like this to happen. Musicians or vendors coming in to sell things in restaurants, buses, anywhere! Cultural difference.]

Moving along. I jokingly made the mistake after I thought the band had left the restaurant to my Chilean friends, "No besos?!" To which my fine Chilean friends ran out the restaurant after them. I stood up to get away, but it was too late. I was trapped in between everyone. So I was standing there laughing and mortified in front of everyone in Pizza Hut, as two of the 5 guys came waltzing in. They were quite excited and eager, I must say, waiting to give me a beso.

I resisted for awhile, until one of them proposed a hug, sparking a friend to shove me into him. This picture is of the resistance, but him encouraging me as well as a friend pushing me from behind.



I finally got over the humiliation and sucked it up. I didn't want to disappoint either. It's customary in Chile to greet with a kiss on the cheek anyways, so what's the big deal! I went ahead and gave in, allowing the first guy to give me a kiss of the cheek. Applause roared. Then, the second guy quickly moved in. He was gutsy though and asked for two! One on each cheek! This is the two-for guy...




It was a hilarious night of laughter, humiliation and fun! No big deal, just giving some pesos por besos.

The Bicentennial

I went to youth group the other day at Union Cristiana, which consists of a broad range of young people (high school to college and just out), but it was a different service this time round. As Chile is gearing-up for their Bicentennial celebrations during the week of Fiestas Patrias (Independence Day), the church was gathering together to pray for their people, the church and their country. It was such a neat opportunity to witness the Lord moving through the young people and bringing them to their news to pray for a broken and hurting country, especially this year with the major 8.8 earthquake in February, several server aftershocks and now the 33 miners trapped in the North.

It wasn’t just the natural disasters, but they also prayed for the some of the same things that the church in the States is praying for like: the institution of marriage in their country, abortions, drug addictions and physical/emotional abuse. The coolest thing was to be able to pray for Chile along Chileans in both Spanish and English. My time may be limited, but I have come to love this country. I will continue to pray for Chile like I have been, am doing now and will continue to do even after I leave. It was such a blessing to be able to give back the greatest way I know how, through prayer, for their/our country.

Like I said, it’s the Bicentennial year, meaning Fiestas Patrias is even more a slam-bang show. Most Chileans and outsiders have said that Chileans tend to be timid and modest, not as orgulloso or proud. However, that night at youth group, I didn’t just see National Pride in full-bloom but a truly humble passion for the Lord to move mightily in Chile. Whoever said that Chileans are timid and non-prideful, think again. This country is one of resilience and determination. They have consistently bounced back and rallied together to restore their country and now they rally together to celebrate and pray in the good times and bad. So let the festivities begin, the flags fly and the Lord to move mightily in Chile!

CHI-CHI-CHI, LE-LE-LE! VIVA CHILE!