Partying in Mendoza
Mendoza was a bit of strange stop for me. I had intended to stay longer but it didn't seem like there was that much to do here. I get the sense that Mendoza is good jumping off point for excursions into the Andes and to winery tours. Because I arrived in the early afternoon to the hostel, it was to late to join any excursions. After running a few errands, I went back to the room and met new best friend, Daniela from Brazil!
Later that night, most of the guests were dining at the hostel on spaghetti and then this crazy man from Uruguay who is easily pushing 50 came over and sat in between me and this British backpacker who were conversing about the American Idol finale playing in the background. He goes to me "I love your accent. Keep talking. I love American English." So, I continued talking awkwardly now with this British guy. I asked the Uruguayan man, if he would like to talk instead to me. But, no he only wanted to listen.
After dinner most of the guests retreated to the bar at the back of the hostel but I wasn't interested in hanging out because I was behind in my journal writing. The good journalist that I have become! Later on, I had another visit from my Uruguayan friend who had clearly just downed a few beers and again just wanted to listen. After that I thought, maybe I should get out of the hostel for while...I can always write in my journal tomorrow.
Luckily, a different group of British Backpackers (Nick, Vas, Sofie, Marcus and Rob) plus my Brazilian friend were planning a night out in Mendoza. Seems the Brits want to party their way across this continent. For this group at least partying is the top priority. The plan was to hit a bar and then see where the night takes us.
There is a cute street in Mendoza called Villaneuva. It's basically one street with cute shops and lots of restaurants and bars. On the way there, I spied a cute hostel called Damajuana. It looked brand new and very posh for a hostel. Should I ever return to Mendoza, I'd like to stay there. We went to a bar in this area called El Abasto. To be honest, I was pretty bored with the bar and the group. But I did end up starting a good chat with Nick and had fun taking crazy pictures with Vas. Nick, the player man that he is, got us free passes to a club called Irska. I decided to cab it with Daniela and Vas. On the way there, they were both getting agitated with the cab driver because they thought he was taking us for a ride. Inside, I was thinking, "tranquila chicos, tranquila." But nope, they were starting to ask him where he was going, etc? Turns out there are two streets with similar names in Mendoza like Av. San Martin and Av. Gral San Martin. We were off to Club Irska on the further street. I was glad we got there in one piece and for a cheaper price than our other four mates.
The club was packed and the DJs played a good mix of English and Spanish music. I really had a great time dancing to all of the Reggaeton hits like Gasolina, Rompe, La Tortura, Lo Que Paso, Paso, and a mix of Gwen Stefani and BEP hits. I think we all had fun and were bonding on the dance floor. After a few unwanted suitors and a drunken Rob, I was anxious to get some shut eye before my not-yet-determined sightseeing and the night bus to Bariloche. After dragging Daniela back to the hostel just before 7 am, I finally get some rest.
In the end, I was glad that I went out and partied with some unlikely friends. Since everyone was leaving the next day, it was a fleeting moment of togetherness. But those are the moments, after all, that make backpacking so much fun.
Later that night, most of the guests were dining at the hostel on spaghetti and then this crazy man from Uruguay who is easily pushing 50 came over and sat in between me and this British backpacker who were conversing about the American Idol finale playing in the background. He goes to me "I love your accent. Keep talking. I love American English." So, I continued talking awkwardly now with this British guy. I asked the Uruguayan man, if he would like to talk instead to me. But, no he only wanted to listen.
After dinner most of the guests retreated to the bar at the back of the hostel but I wasn't interested in hanging out because I was behind in my journal writing. The good journalist that I have become! Later on, I had another visit from my Uruguayan friend who had clearly just downed a few beers and again just wanted to listen. After that I thought, maybe I should get out of the hostel for while...I can always write in my journal tomorrow.
Luckily, a different group of British Backpackers (Nick, Vas, Sofie, Marcus and Rob) plus my Brazilian friend were planning a night out in Mendoza. Seems the Brits want to party their way across this continent. For this group at least partying is the top priority. The plan was to hit a bar and then see where the night takes us.
There is a cute street in Mendoza called Villaneuva. It's basically one street with cute shops and lots of restaurants and bars. On the way there, I spied a cute hostel called Damajuana. It looked brand new and very posh for a hostel. Should I ever return to Mendoza, I'd like to stay there. We went to a bar in this area called El Abasto. To be honest, I was pretty bored with the bar and the group. But I did end up starting a good chat with Nick and had fun taking crazy pictures with Vas. Nick, the player man that he is, got us free passes to a club called Irska. I decided to cab it with Daniela and Vas. On the way there, they were both getting agitated with the cab driver because they thought he was taking us for a ride. Inside, I was thinking, "tranquila chicos, tranquila." But nope, they were starting to ask him where he was going, etc? Turns out there are two streets with similar names in Mendoza like Av. San Martin and Av. Gral San Martin. We were off to Club Irska on the further street. I was glad we got there in one piece and for a cheaper price than our other four mates.
The club was packed and the DJs played a good mix of English and Spanish music. I really had a great time dancing to all of the Reggaeton hits like Gasolina, Rompe, La Tortura, Lo Que Paso, Paso, and a mix of Gwen Stefani and BEP hits. I think we all had fun and were bonding on the dance floor. After a few unwanted suitors and a drunken Rob, I was anxious to get some shut eye before my not-yet-determined sightseeing and the night bus to Bariloche. After dragging Daniela back to the hostel just before 7 am, I finally get some rest.
In the end, I was glad that I went out and partied with some unlikely friends. Since everyone was leaving the next day, it was a fleeting moment of togetherness. But those are the moments, after all, that make backpacking so much fun.
posted by Susanne M | 8:03 AM
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