Mendoza

So in the end, I went to the Vendimia Acto Central on Saturday night. I had a ticket for Sunday since Sat was sold out, plus I was told the first night was a bit boring with the whole election of the Queen. Anyways, I ended up going to the outdoor theater where the event was taking place thinking there would be other activities outside...zip...after walking 1 hr to get there, I figured I might as well buy a scalper ticket and get in...not wanting to walk all the way back there again on Sunday. So that´s what I did....found a decently priced ticket...and got in just in time...and what a great show it was!!! Sort of like an Olympic production....300 dancers or more...taking you through the history of the Vendimia...a la ¨here´s the earth, and the sun, and water, and the pilgrims, and the Spanish, and the vineyards, and tango dancing¨...you see what I mean? a huge dance for each theme... all set in this outdoor greek theater with a 4 level stage with white panels in the back for some colorful projections.... I thought the show was extremely well done...some dances were a little amateurish, not everyone in queue, but it made it all even more special and authentic. The theater was packed...no assigned seating, except your section...so I ended up standing the whole time since I came late...people must have come at 6pm for the 10pm show!.
After the dancing, the special vendimia committee reads outloud the votes for the Queens...all 17 of them stand on stage in a row...and when their name is called out, they wave to the crowd. Mind you there were over 150 votes, so it took a good half hour to get through the election. The crowds were going wild...some Queens had big time fans with banners, noise makers, ever fireworks like in soccer games. Finally the Queen is elected and gives a small speech. And to clore the night: a huge firework display...at least 30min if not 40min. Insane! Great show, but i couldn´t help thinking how much it must have cost and how the city could´ve use the money in other ways....hmmmm. Walked home (no buses available.... hmmm, maybe $2K from the fireworks could´ve gone to a bus service to take people back to town??!!!)...back at the hostal around 2am.

So glad I ended up going the first night.... can´t always rely on ´information´ from fellow travelers. Sunday, I ended up going to the horse track. It was supposed to be the big opening day of the season. Well, the track is quite a site... very sad sight....the bleachers are concrete benches 10rows up, falling apart...don´t think safety is a major concern here....the betting booths are these tiny wooden huts...and the grounds are just dirt paths and parked cars all over. People come here to have their asado between cars...probably go bet once and a while...but just chill, eat, & drink mate. There was a big Vendimia race at 16hr or so...and for that, the crowds went wild...good race...a lot of shouting of course...fun to people watch...some gauchos, some families (somehow the kids always want the parents to buy them stuff...unreal!!... all the kids were running around with these blow up pink panthers and hammers... weird!), but no ´fancy crowds´like you would find in Chantilly or Saratoga.

That night, ended up hanging out with some french girls I had met on my first visit to Mendoza...they are working in wine and spending a few months here. They cooked dinner: liver! now is that french or what! Then they told me that the kilo only cost 1 euro, I almost wanted to faint on the spot...what did i end up eating???

Monday was a chill day...and for everyone´s last night at the hostal, we went to Azafran, the restaurant I had been to with Charlotte for the last night. Great food...great wine... long night!

But yet another circle completed.... now off to Cordoba! a short night bus...only 10hrs!