Wait, what? I have a blog??

That is a damn good question: one I just had to ask myself when an old friend inquired if I was going to update it soon. Oh yes, what do you know, I DO have my very own travel blog! Oh and look, according to this "great-way-to-keep-in-touch", 2010 hasn't happened yet. Woops. I warned people this would happen, didn't I?

How in the world do I get 10 months caught up here? I'll make it short (and include pictures for those of us who are ADD):

-my dad visited in November! My first family visitor!! The highlight was the amazing Thanksgiving dinner we made for 11 Argentines who had never eaten turkey before. I will for sure be repeating this next year. You down, Dad? :)

Thanksgiving Dinner

-Summer rocked hard core. It was hot, and my pool and house parties cooled off the sizzle. I am counting down for summer 2010. Christmas in summer was strange (not to be repeated) but amazing: Christmas Eve and New Years parties are unforgettable. And so is drinking sangria by the pool on Christmas Day (but if you start early you'll need a midnight nap to make it to the clubs by the 3am entrance time).

Santa by the pool

post-sangria, pre-nap

-I spent 10 days traveling the beaches of Uruguay before heading to my first Southern Cone AIESEC conference. Beautiful. I got the harshest burn I have had in my life. And AIESECers are just as crazy down here as they are everywhere in the world.


-I drank a lot of great wine (meaning I worked. a lot.).
Vineyard Salentien

-I took part of my 2nd Vendimia (Wine Harvest) festival and got to see harvest first-hand in the wineries. Impressive shows, lots of grapes, even more wine.

the show! wine-making

-I got a visit from my mom! Which was wonderful and even adventurous since we had to drive to Santiago to pick her up right after the earthquake. Santiago airport = two large tents. Having her see the drive back through the mountains made it totally worth it. And of course, having her with me for a week made my life.

(drinking Andes beer in the Andes mountains)
The tearful welcome in Santiago's tent

-I saw AIESEC begin to take over my life. Being in charge of all incoming exchange keeps me busy. Worth it 150%. Most days.

AIESEC!

-I experienced the most beautiful fall I have ever seen in the vineyards of Mendoza and in my backyard. If it were fall all year round, I would be the giddiest, happiest gringa living here.

in Uco Valley vineyards

-I spent 3 1/2 weeks with the most amazing people in the world: family and friends in Missouri!! Also, having my car back made me realize I think I miss that almost as much as my people (and I say almost because "my people" will be reading this blog). That next to Taco Bell, American beer, and spicy Mexican food. I gained 5 pounds at least. Thanks, grandma. I can't wait to go back.

some of my favorite people in the world

Our matching tattoos

-I then backpacked solo around Colombia and Ecuador for 3 weeks where I had the most amazing experience of my life. My suggestion to everyone: Travel alone at least once. It will change your life.

Tayrona Park in Colombia (aka paradise)


At the Middle of the World (0-0-0) in Quito.

-I bought a Spanish mastiff puppy that is quickly becoming the size of my poor Colombian roommate. I am in love.
Jeronimo!

-And during all this time, I've continued to watch AIESEC suck many hours out my day, my week, my months. Every second is worth the experience and satisfaction I get from it. Not to mention the badass people I get to spend my time with.

Aiesec recruitment 2010- Universidad de Cuyo

-And of course, I boast my wine expertise about five times weekly to anxious tourists who want to know how the hell a Missouri girl came to give high quality tours in Mendoza. Yes, New Yorkers, Missouri actually has PEOPLE living in the state. And not just in-bred, red-neck, Bible-lovers who own farms and are missing teeth. Some of us did go to college, travel a bit, and know the difference between North and South America (unlike you idiots who don't even know where Missouri is.. and you call us ignorant?). I just wow them with my charm, knowledge, and passion, and crank every peso tip I can out of them. And of course, drink the wine.



THE END! Don't forget of course the meet-ups with friends, day trips to the mountains, taco dinners, asados, lazy Sundays, random trips to Chile, and... more wine. Pics to follow:

World Peace March in the Andes
Bruno turns 26 and we celebrate 3 years

Friends! Chilean coast

End of year dinner with Tania and Porky Pine: my favorites!
With some fellow american-argentines ;)
las chicas, taco night! Bruno's family
Mi familia mendocina asado: some days I miss being vegetarian ;)

Soon to come: Finally my trip to Buenos Aires to see my lover Brad, getting Bruno back from India, taking classes, NGO-working, sisters visiting and more trip planning (next stop, South Africa?).

And next time, I will try NOT to wait 10 months...