Last couple of days in Mendoza

Exploring the city parks of Mendoza

Like Buenos Aires, Mendoza has many parks and plazas distributed throughout the city. The Plaza Independenza is in a central square that seems to be a gathering place day and night. At different times we saw people selling fruit and vegetables, families catching shade or picnicking, market stalls selling crafts and other goodies and young guys doing somersaults (yes, literally). As there is currently a lot of construction happening, it is not particularly attractive, but it’s still a nice community gathering spot.

Just outside the city is General San Martin Park. This is a gigantic green space (393 hectare) and has 34 sculptures decorating the paths and roads.

It is filled with wide tree lined avenues, fountains and a large lake. We found that it became less formal as we ventured further out and it was nice to ramble through the bush and hear the birds. As we visited on a Sunday, lots of people were out and about doing all sorts of activities. Teams were rowing on the lake, individuals were walking, cycling, running and rollerblading and there was even a zumba class going in the rowers’ club building. On the outskirts where the local football stadium is, food trucks were being set up and people were arriving – assumedly for a match that was being played later.

Waiting for the next bus trip

Our bus from Mendoza to Bariloche was only departing at 9:30pm, meaning we had a lot of time to kill. We had a late breakfast and stayed in the room until the last possible moment, checking out at 11:29am!

The rest of the day was spent doing lots and lots of nothing! Reading, walking, reading, walking…..followed by a late lunch / early dinner. Luckily we both opted for the fillet mignon, as otherwise the other person would’ve had some serious food envy! Probably the best meal we’ve had in Argentina. Although had we known how huge a portion would be – 2 pieces of steak – we could’ve shared it. That way we could’ve found space for more of the super dulce de leche ice-cream we’d had the day before from the nearby helado.