| Author | Message | ||
     Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2006 |
Hi, I am visiting a friend in Mendoza in June of 2007. I understand that is a very rural area. How rural is it? What will the temperature be like? I am from the Caribbean and live in New York. Are there any tips anyone can provide as to words/phrases I should not use? I speak Spanish, but not "Argentine" Spanish. The trip will cost me about $981 with two stops: Lima and Santiago. I can fly directly into Buenos Aires, but then I'd have to pay an additional $390 to travel to Mendoza. I really want to visit my friend! Any other tips will be greatly appreciated. | ||
| Robbie New member Username: Ganavan Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2006 |
Hi there. If you are in Buenos Aires and want to go to Mendoza, don't take a plane, take a long distance bus. They travel all through the night and are comfortable and cheap. You will find the city of Mendoza is not exactly rural, except on its outskirts. June is winter and temperatures could hover around cero centigrade or just above. City centres are warmer though. | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 44 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hi, I am actually orginally from Mendoza and the city is not relaly Rural at all It is European in Style and as Robbie said the outskirts do tend to get Rural. If I were to compare Mendoza to a part of Europe it would have to be the South of France or South of Spain. We grow a lot of Wine in Mendoza for that reason. So Naturally, if you ever been to South of France, Palm trees can grow there, but it is no where near Tropical weather, like say the Carrbiean. So dont except Carrbiean weather nor tropical weather at all. The weather in Mendoza tends to be Warm summers and Cold winters (with snow). Thanks hope it helps Gustav | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 198 Registered: 6-2006  |
The word rural is the opposite of urban. It describes the country side that is not in the city or the suburbs of the city. Suburbs can be cities or towns also but are said to be suburbs of the larger city. So, no city is rural. The urban area is the city and its suburbs. Suburbs are the high density living areas and businesses not inside the city limits or the corporate limits of the city, that area that is not controlled or governed by the city government. Most of the land mass of the province of Mendoza and for that matter Buenos Aires province is rural. I would venture that. with the exception of the Vatican City, every country in the world is for the most part rural. I am trying to learn Spanish and am happy to give those who speak English as a second language some help. Hasta la vista. | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 199 Registered: 6-2006 |
I agree with Robbie on the bus trip to Mendoza. Pick an executive class bus and I venture you will have a nice trip. | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2006 |
Robbie, Thank you very much for your prompt response. How long is the bus trip? I figure it would be over ten hours. Because of work and family commitments, I can only travel for about a week and a half. How much in USD, would the executive bus cost? Again, thanks! | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2006 |
Gustavo, Where do you live now? I would like to get more information about Mendoza; local customs, etc. I live in New York and I would not want to offend my friend or anyone while I'm there. A lot can get lost in translation. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Jos | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2006 |
Thank you Tom! I actually mentioned rural because that is how my friend in Mendoza described it. I was merely trying to get other people's points of view with regard to the city, etc. Living in New York for over fifteen years now. . .trust me, I know the difference between rural and urban. Again, just trying to educate myself as much as possible before my visit so that I know what to expect in terms of climate, the culture and the people. My friend lives in La Consulta-San Carlos. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Cheers, Jos | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 200 Registered: 6-2006 |
For sure Joselin I was more looking to help Gustavo et al with the translation of our language. Good luck with your travels | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2006 |
Thanks again, Tom. Your help is very much appreciated. Cheers, Jos | ||
| Robbie New member Username: Ganavan Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2006 |
Jos, No probs. The bus should be about 12 hours at least. I have taken it a couple of times, but cannot remember exactly. I will take the bus to San Rafael (south of Mendoza city) when I go in November, though. The cost of the bus should be about 120 pesos max I'd say. That is 40 US Dollars. Now that you mention that your friend lives in La Consulta, San Carlos, I should say that this is far more "rural" than the city of Mendoza. San Carlos is some 40 km to the south of Mendoza city and is more of a town than a city, and -yes- it is also more "rural" if we can say such a thing. I am sure you will like Mendoza province and city and all the area. People in the interior of Argentina are more friendly than the city people of BsAs. Having said that the portenios (city dwellers of Buenos Aires) are fairly friendly too, at least much more than your average american or european. The food scene is pretty cosmopolitan, but heavily biased to beef. Wines are good and abundant. Mendoza is also a city of much art. Painting and sculpture mainly. | ||
| Bob Frassinetti Junior Member Username: Frassinetti Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2005 |
Ruta 40 where the story starts.......... http://www.flickr.com/photos/frassinetti/sets/1821657/ Mendoza is a very important province specially linked to natural beauty and wonderful wines. Right in the bottom of the Andes Mountains, this province and its capital city are also the starting point of the marvellous route 40. At the intersection of San Martin and Garibaldi St we find the original beginning to the magical route. The fact that the beginning is in the geographical middle is owed to the National Roads Direction; they thought it was way to long, so they partitioned it in North and South sections. The pretty and clean modern looking city of Mendoza (yes, it's named after the province)  | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 201 Registered: 6-2006 |
Robbie You can use the term anytime you like I have two undergraduate degrees and a doctate. But I am still learning everyday. I think learning is a good thing. Arogance is less charming. I tried to clarify the word "rural" for my friends who are Spanish speakers and speak English is a second language. Any time I use a Spanish word improperly or even misspell one I certainly appreciate being corrected. If I offended you or anyone I apologize. | ||
| Robbie New member Username: Ganavan Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2006 |
Thank you Tom for your clarifications. No lecturing was intended from me and I apologize if that was understood. Indeed, language and words are of great importance and the day any of us stops learning we might as well be dead. I agree that arrogance is far from charming. I'd say it's irrelevant. You have not offended me so please do not apologize. I respect your comments as those of anyone that is done in good faith. | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 45 Registered: 6-2006 |
We'll Culture and people are European. I dont know realyl what to say about it thought its just European... Mendoza the city generally looks like a meduim sized European city not like Buenos Aires, but still European. I have no idea were Robbie got the terrible and may I say wrong generalization that people in Europe are less nice then in Argentina.... I am actually quiet insulted since we Argentines are Europeans...Anyways besides generalizations I If you have any more spefics. then please feel free to ask. (Message edited by admin on September 30, 2006) | ||
| Riyad Anabtawi Member Username: Riyada Post Number: 95 Registered: 12-2005 |
Here is Mendoza section on my website: http://www.ranabtawi.com/Mendoza.shtml If you hover the mouse over mendoza link you should see other links: like the plazas, restaurants etc. My opinion of the people of Mendoza: They are generally very nice, but are ultra conservative. This I realised after 6 years of living here and asking people and that is due to the fact that the Mendocinos are dwellers of the harsh arid mountains of the Andes. Riyad | ||
| Jody Ruttenberg New member Username: Jody Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2006 |
We're visiting Argentina in November and have been reading alot on the provinces and the history. There is alot to read on Germans who went to AR after WWII. Is anyone aware of any information or documented records of interest while travelling in AR | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 46 Registered: 6-2006 |
Yes Jody, Many Germans after WWII came to Argentina and today they make up a big portion of the population. What kind of Information do you want exactally? | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2006 |
Bob, Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing them. Cheers, Jos | ||
| Joselin Fernandes New member Username: Jos Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2006 |
Riyad, Thanks for the link. Very informative and extremely helpful. Cheers, Jos | ||
| James Guglielmino New member Username: Jgug1 Post Number: 15 Registered: 6-2006 |
<<i>> Well, now....Americans are not Europeans? (I am interpretating your comment as referring to origin, since Argentineans are of course, *not* European, but South American.)But, perhaps, the poster you responded to intended to convey what experience had shown. I, myself, have Italian origans but in Greece a number of years ago, I found the Italians visiting not in the least friendly. The Brits, to the contrary, as well as the Aussies, were a blast. But, that is hardly a sample. In my wanderings, I have found all people, including New Yorkers, friendly. JGug | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 47 Registered: 6-2006 |
Well of course I am talking about Orgin because Argentina is in South America but we have a strong link to Europe way more then the US thats for sure. I am of German decent myself and am VERY Proud of being German. Exactally, its hardly a sample at all, I have been to Germany and there the people are very nice. So its all just generalizations. Only problem with those pictures above it doesnt show the real Mendoza... | ||
| Robbie New member Username: Ganavan Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2006 |
Gustavo, Generalizations are always odious. On the other hand we all use them all the time. As long as we understand that we are just making comments that reflect our personal experience and are not meant to label every single person involved, that is ok. Argentina has a relatively short experience of mass tourism, and hence foreigners are -as a norm- very welcome. Much more so than other large cities of the west. I have been living in Europe for seventeen years now, and know what people are like here. Perhaps in Argentina people are more interested in what foreigners have to say than their counterparts in Europe or north America. Perhaps it is for the reason you mention, Gustavo, that many Argentines are ultimately descendants of Europeans and welcome the opportunity of communicating with their "long lost cousins". Whatever the case, in making generalizations there is no moral judgment intended and neither should there be. What exists in reality are cultural and circumstantial differences apart from individual and personal ones, of course. The more we experience the more our cultural and personal prejudices are -for good- eroded. Recent example: I was in Turkey just 10 days ago. With all the bashing of Muslims going on in the west, I have to say that people there were absolutely fantastic. Friendly, kind, helpful and went well out of their way to lend a hand. I even had encounters with some two charming Iranian couples on vacation there. One could say that that is a far cry from what the west are offering Muslim nations right now. Sadly we are all victims of evil propaganda that only has political, economic and marketing objectives that are cleverly coated with sweeteners, half truths and full blown lies. | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 48 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thats true I think in Argentina though people are Friendly towards American or European foriegns any one else is well they will treat just like Americans or Europeans... that is surpise. Yes well our Long lost cousins, parents or grandparents, are there living with us. Everything we do Argentina is European in almost all aspects and I am not the only one proud of it haha...=P. That is nice to hear about your trip to Turkey, very interesting. | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 202 Registered: 6-2006 |
A few numbers. Every statistic on Argentina shows that 97% of the population is of European descent which appears to be higher than in many other South American countries. The largest percentage of the populaton is of Italian descent. The majority of Americans are of European descent also. As to the German population. I was told an intersting story by a friend,a retired Argentine Air Force pilot, about the crew of the German warship Admiral Graf Spee which was scuttled in the waters off Monteviedo Uruguay during WWII. The crew went from Uruguay to Argentina which was at the time a neutral nation. They settled somewhere in the country and built a town that was so German in architecture that it became a popular tourist destination. With that the crew of the ship moved to another part of the country to get away from the toursit. I can't remember the name of the first town they built. Anyone know the name? Many Germans moved to different countries in South America after the war. Many, from what I have been told, moved to Brazil and Chili. | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2006 |
Yes you are right Tom Woodson. You are very knowleagable=)! | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 203 Registered: 6-2006 |
Thanks Gustavo, It was just a story I heard from a friend. Do you know the name of the tourist town they built and then moved out of? | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 204 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hey Robbie, no offense and thanks for understaning Hasta luego | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 743 Registered: 12-2004 |
Tom/Gustavo... is that "La Cumbrecita" in Cordoba? | ||
| florencia Junior Member Username: Flopy26 Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2006 |
yes roberto,la cumbrecita,located in cordoba,beautiful place! | ||
| Gustavo Flores Junior Member Username: Xgustax Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2006 |
Very Interesting thanks for telling me I was not sure of the town! | ||
| florencia Junior Member Username: Flopy26 Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2006 |
tom: yes,we are descending of Italians or spanish,some immigrated before the first world war and some during the second war. like my grandmother she come before the first war,because in Italy the people was very poor. then in Argentina the races mixed... | ||
| Thomas New member Username: Peilab Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2006 |
I have not posted to this group very often, however, I read each post with great interest as Argentina is about to become my country. This particular interest "Culture in Mendoza" has interested me greatly as next week I will be flying to Mendoza to meet with my wife, Silvia, so as to close on the sale of a house. She has lived all of her life in Buenos Aires and I myself have spent most of my life in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area of the US. She is of Spanish/Hungarian/Italian/French decent and I am of Irish/German/Norwegian decent...yes we are both "European" living in countries that have diverged into different cultures, but also with similarities due to the ethnic back grounds. Recent world and country histories have changed the character of both countries but at the same time as individuals, my wife and I find ourselves extending the "olive branch" of cultural understanding and love. As Silvia is well traveled having been to much of Western and Eastern Europe, the United States, and more, she has developed a great understanding of cultural differences and similarities. Even in her travels in the US she has found differences from one coast to the other. In the US her travels had mostly been to New York City, WDC, Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami. After her first visit in the Minneapolis and the Chicago area she stated that she was able to witness the heart of the "Norte American" people, especially in New Richmond Wisconsin where I live with a population of 8000, just 30 minutes from St. Paul, Minnesota This thread has provided wonderful photos from Bob Frassinetti and a very descriptive explanation by Tom Woodson of rural and urban, suburbs and city. You might guess that having lived by a community as small as mine is and as close to a major urban area as St. Paul, I have experienced the best of both worlds, large and small. Actually I live about 10 minutes from my community on about 35 hectares. As the location of the house we are closing on is in the Chacras de Coria area in Mendoza I will be experiencing a major shift in community size that I am not used to, but the good fortions are that we also own property in the Vellecitos/Potrerillos area that dwarfs what I have now in Wisconsin. All of this is relative as when Lucy first jumped from the tree in Africa millions of years ago she took the first footsteps on land, diverging a population that soon would be Homeo sapiens. Cultural styles do develop between diverging populations and time, but with the wonders of our technology we are closer than ever before as can be attested by my relationship with Silvia. As I have been writing this I have been listening to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's "El Condor Pasa, Roberto Carlos's "Amigo", and 2002's "River Of Stars"...MI AMIGOS, IT IS ALL RELATIVE...Thomas | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 205 Registered: 6-2006 |
Welcome Thomas Issue You may be descendant from a monkey who jumped from a tree, but I am not. I see now there is more differences than just the accent of the people of Wisconson and the rest of the country.  I am not smiling at you, I am smiling with you I certainly hope. | ||
| Thomas New member Username: Peilab Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2006 |
Tom, I am so delighted by your response as I sit here with a big smile on my face. Having read your educational back ground I must share that mine is that of a PhD in Geology, and "Lucy" has become a popular concept in human evolution. I do appreciate your recognition that there were other divergent evolutionary lines such as the sauropods.. In a previous life that ended in 1997 when I ended my career in "Land Use Planning and Regional Development", I truly appreciate the definitions that you have shared.. I am really looking forward to the paleo fields in western Patagonia where there have been many recent finds...Mapusaurus roseae, largest of all dinosaurs I am part of the smiling with you....Thomas | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 206 Registered: 6-2006 |
I have heard a lot of good things about Patagonia. Someday I plan to visit there. I thought that after I retired from my pracitice I would have plenty of time to visit places I have never been but it seems I am busier now than ever. When I do get down to Argentina which is 2 or 3 times a year I always wind up spending my time in Bs As province visiting friends and looking at investment opportunities. They abound. I am not complaining, the province is most excellent. Sometimes I have a problem with adjectives. After years of raving about Argentina my friends have become immune. A story, the last time I was in Houston I was having dinner with a group of compatriots and well into the meal I said something about the country which drew an amazed response. We had been talking for over two hours and it was the first time I had mentioneed Buenos Aires. They are just jealous. Anyway, I often think about traveling around the country by bus and visiting friends I have met here and on other blogs. The problem is the buses normally travel at night, so much for seeing the countryside, and I never seem to have the time. Some day. | ||
| Robbie New member Username: Ganavan Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2006 |
Tom, It is true that most buses leave Retiro terminal (Buenos Aires city)and travel during the night to their destinations, but once you are in the provinces you will see that additional buses you may take do not leave all at night and the frequency is possibly greater during the day time. I can assure you, you will tire of seeing the countryside. | ||
| Eric Baeder New member Username: Doggieboy Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2006 |
Tom: Enough of the small talk....lets cut to the chase here. Are you a Packer or Viking fan? Eric Hometown: LaCrosse | ||
| Joselin New member Username: Jos Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2006 |
This forum has provided an abundance of information, for which I am very greatful for. I do, however, have one dilemma that I hope someone can help me sort out. I can get a direct flight from NY to Buenos Aires. I cannot get a direct flight from NY to Mendoza. My friend lives in La Consulta-San Carlos, Mendoza. What is the best way to get there? Since my time is limited, the bus will be my last option. (1) Fly from NY to Buenos Aires, then fly from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. How do I then get to La Consulta-San Carlos? (2) Fly from NY to Santiago, Chile. Fly from Santiago to Mendoza? Take a bus from Santiago to Mendoza? How do I then get to La Consulta-San Carlos? (3)HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP! The fares are rising fast. Cheers, Jos | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 207 Registered: 6-2006 |
When I was a kid and Vince Lambardi was coach at Green Bay I was a Packers fan. When Daunte Culpepper was in Minnesota I was a Vikings fan. Now that I have a son in law who is from Philly I am an Eagles Fan. But my all time really favorite teams are the St Louis Cardinals, pro Baseball, UCF Golden Knights, college football, and Kentucky Wildcats, college basketball. As a kid I went to the Cardinals games, I am from Kentucky, and I am an alumni of UCF(the University of Central Florida), predictable in other words. I now watch pro football only because I love the sport. and you? PS. I am a River Plate soccer fan | ||
| Tom Woodson Intermediate Member Username: Diverdown48 Post Number: 208 Registered: 6-2006 |
Jos Fly NY to Bs As and then take the executivo bus from Buenos Aires to La Consulta-San Carlos and enjoy the ride. Thats what I would do. You will have to take a taxi from Ezeiza to Retiro for the bus ride in Bs As. IF you fly from Bs As to Mendoza you will probably have to change planes and fly out of a different airport, George Newberry regional and then probably take a bus to La Consulta-San Carlos anyway. | ||
| Joselin New member Username: Jos Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2006 |
Gracias, Tom. As much as I was trying not to take the bus, I suppose it's enevitable. How far in advance do I have to reserve the bus? Just to clarify: I am flying to Buenos Aires then I am taking a taxi from Ezeiza (where is Ezeiza?). Where is Retiro? When I find Retiro I am taking a bus to Mendoza or directly into La Consulta-San Carlos? How far off will the bus leave me from La Consulta-San Carlos? Once I arrive to La Consulta-San Carlos, will I be able to take a taxi easily to my friend's house? My friend lives in Barrio Manuel Lemos. Apologies, I know I am asking a lot of questions, but I have never been there before and I am trying to cover all of my bases. I will be traveling alone. Thanks for your patience. Jos | ||
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