"It never rains in Mendoza!" They said
"You can see the Andes!" They said.
Of the four days I spent in Argentina's wine region, it rained three. Cloud So I can't comment on the scenery, but was deeply comforted by the universal truth that you can drink wine in any climate.
Also an all-weather activity - hot tubbing! About an hour north of Mendoza are the Cachueta Hot Springs, beautiful natural rock pools nestled in to the mountainside. Even in the drizzling rain, it was the perfect way to while away the afternoon.
We did leave some wine for the locals. Some.
I had great company in Mendoza; I was reunited with the girls I met in Calafate, and we picked up some more Brits, a Parisienne, and other assorted members of the EU along the way. I learned how to make empanadas, change currency in dodgy gallerias (again, Mum, sorry), had the best meal of my life, and all about the sanctity of the afternoon siesta.
One does not interfere with siesta.
For a bunch of Western (I use the term loosely) tourists who prioritize sleeping in, we were comically thwarted at nearly every turn by the traditional afternoon nap practiced everywhere but the big city. Rolling out of the hostel at one in the afternoon to do our exploring or shopping resulted in some good-natured grumbling, and a chance to explore the city while less crowded.
In San Juan, we arrived hungry and curious on the afternoon bus, on a Sunday no less. I counted a grand total of 22 people on the streets, in a city with the population of around 112,000.
It's a practice I can get behind; even a short break to lie down and close your eyes after lunch does wonders for your afternoon productivity.
Think we could get a Leadnow campaign going to bring the siesta to North America?