Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Buses with Wings


On my last flight back home I was having a hard time sleeping. Then the kid in the row next to mine shot out projectile vomit covering the seats in front of him and the aisle. That poor kid. That poor mother. The mother spent the next half hour on the floor with paper towels trying to mop up the regurgitated airplane cuisine. Not one flight attendant offered a hand or even a trash can or more paper towels. The woman's husband didn't offer to help either, but that's another topic.

Watching that mother on her hands and knees as the flight attendants stepped over her made me consider getting up to help. But then, the stench of vomit was already so strong (and it lasted the remainder of the flight) that I knew if I got any closer I'd be no help. I guess only a mother can clean up vomit without puking her own guts up.

Once the chunks were cleaned up, she placed paper towels over the spot. Passengers would get a running start to clear the mess. Half the time, the had to hold on to the backs of our seats to keep themselves airborne.

Then came the flight attendant with a can of smelly stuff to hide the stench. So we spent the rest of the flight smelling chemical vomit and getting rocked back and forth by those whose long jump wasn't quite long enough. Wouldn't you think they'd have a system for cleaning up puke? After all, they have puke bags. Ah, but not this poor kid. Just as he was getting sick his mother searched the pocket for the bag. With no bag in sight, out it came and shrieks from those sitting in the row in front followed.

There's an article in today's New York Times about the class conflict on airlines. You know the drill. All the special people board first and are being served cocktails as you walk through the first- and business-class cabins. They look relaxed as if they may even be given a massage during the flight. You pass them, feeling a bit insignificant and make your way to your seat only to find it's been assigned to someone else. You're gripped by fear because you know the airline won't think twice about bumping you to the next flight. You're in coach.

It's not that those who pay big bucks don't deserve edible food and wine that won't cause a headache. But must they flaunt their privilege as we are herded back to our minuscule seats? Flights today are more like bus rides. Crappy movies with malfunctioning audio, overpriced stale snacks, and bathrooms that make you dream of an outdoor music festival's port-o-potty.

When I first started traveling overseas, I remember being given a beautiful menu with three courses listed and a selection of beverages presented as if I were dining along the Seine. I used to look forward to a transatlantic flight. I got to sit back, watch a good movie, spend hours reading my book, head to the back to hang out with the other passengers and talk about our travels, meet the flight attendants and fantasize about their adventures.

I bet back then the flight attendants knew how to handle a puddle of vomit without a can of spray. And I bet the kid would have had a puke bag.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Treat your Tastebuds in Mendoza

Here are some amazing dining options in Mendoza.



Bistro La Tupiña in the Altus Bodega – This is my favorite for lunch. It's in Tupungato so you can see that beautiful valley and the stunning Andes. The entire dining experience is unique. You´re greeted near the open oven by the chef who mingles with the guests and explains that every ingredient is from the valley. The lunch begins with tapas and white wine, then moves on to the dinning room where we had a stew (locro), then a meat course (chivito-baby goat) with vegetables, and an amazing dessert. Each course is served with a different Altus wine. There are tables inside and outside. The whole lunch took about four hours.


I can't find the page for it, but you can see pictures of it on my Flickr site under Mendocino Bodegas
There are others available here.

La Sal - Unbelievable steak, live music (but not loud), beautiful decor, yummy desserts, great wine list. There are pictures of this restaurant on my Flickr site in the Mendoza set.

1884 - I had the best chivito of my life here. The place is gorgeous and the menu is filled with local flavors done imaginatively. We also had an pears, prosciutto, and parmesan shavings dressed with olive oil and herbs that was scrumptious.

Azafran is just around the corner from La Sal. We couldn't get a seat without a reservation. The place was packed. It looked delicious. Maybe next time.

Club Tapiz - Lots of people have recommended Club Tapiz. I haven't eaten there, but it's on my list.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Trip to Mendoza at Easter? Can you find a room?

My aunt and uncle are planning to come to Argentina in March. It will be Easter and also harvest season and a few days after the festival--La Vendimia-- in Mendoza. In other words, we have to book now. I never plan that far in advance for anything.

Yet seeing as I am the "expert" with loads and loads of knowledge, I've started putting together a few lists for them. And since I haven't had time to write here, I might as well share that research with you guys.

The hotels listed below are mostly outside of the city of Mendoza. There are two main areas with wineries (bodegas) and boutique-type hotels: Chacras de Coria and Tupungato.


Chacras de Coria is a beautiful little town in the Maipu valley (sort of the Napa Valley of Mendoza). It's picturesque and there are some fantastic restaurants in town. Also, it's much closer to the city of Mendoza so driving in at night to try some of the restaurants in the city would be easier from here than from Tupungato. And there are more wineries in this area.


Tupungato is more rustic in terms of accommodations and restaurants, but more majestic in terms of beauty. It's further away (in the Valle de Uco) and less crowded. The mountains are gorgeous. It's much higher up than Chacras and the places here feel more gaucho-like. It's a different sort of experience. It's the difference between Aspen, Telluride and Crested Butte: Mendoza being Aspen, Chacras being Telluride, and Tupungato being Crested Butte.

Hotels near the City of Mendoza:


Club Tapiz - Popular place to stay and for dinner. It's highly recommended.

Finca Adalgisa - Gorgeous.

Rancho E'Cuero -Rustic sort of cowboy feeel.

Estancia Cheateau d'Ancon - Very French feeling.

Posada Salentein - This one is considered one of the most modern bodegas in Mendoza. Stunning, but not as quaint per se as the others.

Lares de Chacras - Looks very quaint and charming.

Posada Borravino - Nice rooms and warm atmosphere.

Bodega Inti Huaco - It feels very Argentine.

Postales del Plata - Looks good. Can't tell much from the page.

La Posada - Impressively elegant.

Park Suites, Executive Hotel - This is the only one in the city of Mendoza. It's not my style, but since the Hyatt is booked (and way expensive) it would be a good option in the city. The Sheraton is opening soon, but I'm not sure when.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

38-Year-Old Memory


Whether it was denial or just plain fear, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to my 20th reunion two weeks ago. I mean, I remember my parents going to their 20th reunion and that’s scary. Could I really be old enough for such an event? What will I say to all of those middle-aged people? When I see them, will it make me realize that I am actually 38? Will I feel like a failure because I am still single and not a mother? I nearly skipped it thinking I’d prefer living in denial just a bit longer.

One thing is certain my memory is 38 years old. There were people I can’t remember ever seeing before, names I don’t think I’ve ever heard, faces that ring no bells. Very embarrassing. And their memories were all topnotch. Everyone knew who I was. Even more embarrassing.

After calling a few very nice people by the wrong name, I decided I’d just stop using names and act like I knew and remembered everyone. It’s not that hard. Most conversations begin with, “so where are you these days?” Then, “what are you doing now?” And if you don’t remember who they are you can ask, “and how’s your family doing?” That one often brings up some names and stories that trigger at least a bit of a recollection. If you still don’t have a clue who they are, find someone standing nearby that you do remember and try to bring them into the conversation: “you remember so-and-so?”

In my defense, I didn’t remember people because just about everyone looked better than they did in high school. “What a relief,” I thought, until I realized they all remembered me. Did that mean I still looked like that 16-year-old girl with braces, horrendous hairstyles, pudgy cheeks, and fashion-disaster clothes that scream out “I’m trying to define myself, give me a break”?

Then I overheard a conversation in the bathroom. I couldn’t make out the voices, but three classmates of mine revealed their secret weapon: the yearbook. Duh. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Study the yearbook before your reunion, at least that way you’ll have some names and faces regardless of whether those names and faces still match.