Let me tell you about my weekend... i went to mendoza, which is a city at the foot of the andes mountains, which separates chile and argentina. my first day I went white water rafting, hiking, repeling down a mountain, and rode horses in the andes. it was incredible. my eyes couldn´t believe the sites they saw. grogeous wildlife and natural beauty- it was incredible. then yesturday, my friend and i packed our day packs, got on a bus to the mountains, got off at our stop, and found out there was no hiking near the stop. so we found out that theres a town 15 km away with hiking paths, and started walking. we hitchhiked to the town and got picked up by a really nice german lady who brought us to the area, and offered us mate after our hike. we spènt 3 pesos each to enter the trail, hiked to the top of a huge mountain, ate lunch and took a million pictures. when we came down we saw 7 huge eagles and 2 wild horses (on the top of a mountain!!) when we returned to the base, we went to the house of the women who picked us up, and she gave us mate (tea), and fed us!!! we sat with her and spoke to her for hours and then she brought us back to the little bus stop in the middle of nowhere. we had to run after our bus cuz it passed us, but we got on, with an incredible day behind us. 
it literally was the most random, perfect day ive ever had. Check out the pics...

So it has been a few days since my last post, and so much has happened!!

 After spending more and more time with Matilde, I feel the need to add a new section to my blog: “Things Matilde Says.” This will be a section of comments that my host mother has made, and I bet you’ll enjoy hearing about her life (It justifies how perfect my living situation is). Anyway, as I said, a ton has been going on. I’ve been walking around the city, going to museums and enjoying my classes. I’m a regular at “La Bomba del Tiempo”- a percussion rave-like dance party on Monday nights. And my favorite resturante is Cumana- a CHEAP, amazing place that serves northern Argentine cuisine, and the best empanadas in Buenos Aires.

 

Ok. I just remembered. Let me tell you how my dinner went last Wednesday. I returned home from school to a full dinner setting for 10 people, and a food layout that rivals both my moms and those found in Gourmet magazine. Turns out we were having over Matilde’s granddaughter, friends and a guy her granddaughter was crushing on. Wine flowed, the food was incredible, we laughed, we spoke in Spanish, I went into food coma…and Matilde got drunk. So after tea and coffee, Matilde escaped into her room for a few minutes and returned, with Arabic music bumping, wearing full Arabic get-up and dancinging into the living room. “That’s my mom!” I said as the embarrassed grandchild sunk into her seat and replied, “y mi abuela!” (and my Grandmother). The astonished crowd then got up, hands in the air, and a dance party was born. I immediately got my camera.

Matilde with Costume

 

Entire Group

 

The only problem was that I had homework to do, school at 8 in the morning, and a dance party was 5 feet from my door. JUST ANOTHER DAY LICING WITH MATILDE!

 

I am anticipating trips to Mendoza and Patagonia over the next few weeks, and after going to an International Music Fair this week, decided I need to make a demo. Expect songs on myspace and facebook in the coming weeks. 

 

Check out what I’ve been seeing!!!

 

MUCHO AMOR!

~MAX~