Monday, January 28, 2013

Day 26 – 21 January 2013. Mendoza…and onto Buenos Aires


Arrived about 6.00am, the bus station here was much smaller and saner and quiet at that time of the day, a quick taxi trip into Mendoza and to the Hotel.

I got up about 8.30, took some washing around to a Lavanderia – who promised they could have my laundry done by 1.30 IF I brought it back right now. So I hotfooted back to hotel. It cost me $6 bucks and is so nice to have everything clean again, all these late nights and no hotels, make it hard to keep up with the washing/drying.

Walked around the city, following information in the Lonely Planet guide, I downloaded to the Kindle. The old city of Mendoza was destroyed by an earthquake in 1861 which killed 4000 of the 11 000 residents. The city relocated to where it is now. It’s a leafy green town, with lots of tree lined streets. Checked it all out from the 7th floor of the City Hall, which has views around the city and a guy there who gives a bit of information.

Explored 4 of the 5 squares – I liked the Spanish Square best, neat and tidy and colourful. Plaza Indepencia – had an Art Museum, which was closed on Monday. No tours available, as most tours leave early in the morning, to get out to the vineyards that the area is famous for.

The shops are snapping shut at 1.00pm for siesta, so after collecting my washing I spent some time on my computer back at the hotel, after repacking the bags…again. Out and about again at 4.30 to check on bus details…just to be sure. I don’t want to learn this one is delayed as well. Seems everything is on schedule, I have first class, will be fed on bus and I have front seat again.

After this I found a coffee place and drank out in the street with the people and the dogs.

Mendoza terminal, is OH so much easier. The bus turns up on time, hardly full at all. My seat lays right back and the foot rest comes up to horizontal as well. I have my own DVD player, which unfortunately blocks the view out front window a bit, and the bus has wi-fi, but it’s pretty slow and my batteries won’t last the 19 hours…nor will I.
THE PHOTOS ARE VARIOUS SQUARES AND STATUES, SOME I DON'T KNOW...CAPTIONS FOR THOSE I DO.

Yep?


View of Mendoza from top of city hall. 

And again.

Spanish square.



Deep gutters on tree lined streets.

Street sweeping - Mendoza style




Tree lined and create a tunnel almost.

The main square.
 
Front top level seat on bus, room to stretch out and DVD player.

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