Intrepid Traveler Dispatch: Argentina

In this Travelojos Intrepid Traveler Dispatch, Linda Tabb tells us about her trip to Argentina in July. She reminds us that July means winter in Argentina. It also was the height of the H1N1 or Swine Flu epidemic. But Linda and her group managed to escape illness and enjoy themselves in Buenos Aires. On a solo side trip, Linda had Mendoza to herself.

Who: A staff of three from the university and 16 educators.

Why: The Global Studies in Education (GSE) annual summer study tour. The tour was based in Buenos Aires because our host institution, the Universidad de San Andrés is there. I went a week ahead of the tour to visit Mendoza and the surrounding wine region.

When: July 8 – 29, 2009. Middle of winter in Argentina. During the height of the H1N1 flu epidemic in Argentina.

Sign on business limiting entrance to five customers only at a time because of H1N1

Getting there was: Long, but uneventful. It took over 27 hours door to door, but that was to be expected. To get to Mendoza, it is best to go to Santiago, Chile and then fly from there over the Andes to Mendoza. The route had multiple changes of plane in Chicago, Miami and Santiago. The flight from Miami to Santiago on LAN was terrific. The view of the Andes on the flight from Santiago to Mendoza was breathtaking.

I was really surprised when: No one contracted H1N1. To be honest, I was quite surprised that no one in our group got sick with H1N1. Our study abroad office gave us the green light to take the group, but the publicity in the media about the flu in Buenos Aires was particularly worrisome. Right before we arrived it was declared a pandemic in the country with a death toll of 55, one of the highest in the world at the time. In the weeks before we arrived, the Buenos Aires health authorities decided to close all schools and universities for a one month break, so we were unable to visit many of the educational institutions originally planned.

I realized I would love it when: I spent my first day in Mendoza sitting at an outdoor café for several hours in the sun in the dead of winter. Argentina has a very vibrant café culture and it seems to never end despite the cold of winter. I love to sit outside in the sun and the weather my days in Mendoza was beautiful.

Artisan painting chess pieces at Feria de Mataderos

The best place I stayed was: My first week was on my dime, so I enjoyed staying at Huentala Hotel Boutique in Mendoza. It was very comfortable and it had a nice restaurant where I ate most breakfasts and dinners.

One part that could have been better was: Obviously traveling to a place with a major pandemic is not ideal. We had concerns that even restaurants and shops might close, but fortunately that did not happen. The H1N1 issue was a constant stressor during the time there.

If I had it to over again I would have: Stayed even longer! There was so much to do I would have even enjoyed staying longer. I would have liked to have gone to more vineries around Mendoza and I love Buenos Aires so much that I could have used even more time to get to know the city.

I would have liked to have gone to more vineries around Mendoza

The piece of advice I have about visiting Argentina is: If you speak Spanish, understand that the version in Argentina is different and fun to experience. Talk to people; they are open and welcoming. Check out the many museums in Buenos Aires. I particularly liked Museo Xul Solar which is off the beaten track. Get out into the country, even if it is just outside the city. Go to an event like Feria de Mataderos or visit an estancia.

Follow Linda on Twitter at: @smittytabb