Study Abroad Trip to Mendoza, Argentina

Day 1, Domingo 11 de Marzo

I recommend that you first read through the descriptions and then click on the first picture for a closer look at all the pictures.





After 3 flights we made it to Mendoza! Here is our first meal - a little pizza joint on Las Heras. Everyone was surprised to see green olives garnishing their pizza!






Some fountains in Plaza Independencia.








A wheelchair accessible sidewalk in la Plaza de Chile.








Everyone (except me) agreed that a gelato was a fine way to end our first day in Mendoza! The Italian influence here in Argentina is very strong - from food, to style, culture, etc.






Anthony at the entrance of our Hotel Alexander, 1602 Patricias Mendocinas.







...some pictures of my room at the Hotel Alexander. It was very comfortable - complete with AC, TV, WI-Fi, private bathroom, and breakfast.
















Day 2, Lunes, 12 de Marzo, Bodegas (Winery Tour)








We visited 3 wineries: Terrazas de los Andes, Familia Di Tomasso, and Trapiche on day 2. Here we were tasting grapes off the vine.







Maya testing the sweetness of the grapes.








Juan led the Terrazas tour.









Terrazas de los Andes wine is commonly found on the grocery store shelf here in the US.







Familia Di Tomasso Bodega with the Andes Mountains in the background. This was a very small family-run winery. It was interesting to compare / contrast the large-scale wineries with this smaller one.





Olives!








Entre Olivos - an olive oil factory plus chocolates and liqueurs.








Olive oil factory entrance.








Preparing absinthe samples.








We were going to rent bicycles from Mr. Hugo Bikes but there were too many negative reviews of the busy highway where we'd be riding so we changed our plans. After seeing how busy the road was I'm glad we did.





Dinner off Plaza Independencia at Quinta Norte. Left t0 right: Anthony, Hanna, Mallory, Jessica, Jadin, and Kaitley. Jessica's minor in Spanish proved extremely helpful to the group (and me)!






Left to right: Kamaria, Maya, Amy (colleague), Jenna, and Kaitlin.








Day 3, 13 de Marzo - visits to Universidad Nacional de Cuyo and Universidad de Maza

You can see Kike (bottom right) and Hugo (top left) in our group picture. Both were very helpful in planning our university visits! This public university is free to all students.



Earthquake simulator - the last "big one" destroyed Mendoza in 1861. They rebuilt the city with exceptionally wide streets and sidewalks so that people would be safe outside if buildings were destroyed. They also planned the beautiful 930 acre Parque General San Martín in the wake of the earthquake - the mostly open space park was designed to accommodate the population in the event of the next "big one." It also has a 100 yr old sports club which we visited.

Universidad de Maza Kinesiology and Physical Therapy program. Their private university requires students to pay tuition, however, there is no on-campus housing.






Dean Erica Gili addressing the group.








Human Anatomy Laboratory.








These are real human bones.








There was a protest in the street right in front of our hotel.








Posing in front of the famous sign in Plaza Independencia.








Day 4, 14 de Marzo - Maza and U Nacional de Cuyo visits

This is the 3rd year plan of study for physical education students.






"Toast" or Brindis with the U of Maza administrators. There was 1 bottle of Malbec and 3 bottles of soda. Guess which the students had?






Vice Rector, me, Rector, Amy, and the Dean of the physical education program.







Day 5, 15 de MarzoCerro Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, is 22,800+ feet tall. Located in the Andes Mountains, it formed the backdrop for our outdoor adventures on Thursday.





Our raft included 2 newlyweds, our guide, myself, Kaitley, and a wasp that stung me.






Argentina Rafting Expeditions - 9 of us went rafting on Rio Mendoza, fed exclusively by the Andes Mountains. The river was Class III/IV and very fun!





Barb, Jessica, and Anthony getting ready for rafting.








Another picture of our group.







Rafting with the Andes in the background.







A group picture plus the chica on the far right (who wasn't in our group, but apparently wanted to be in the picture).






Zip-lining (or canopy)
You basically travel from one point to the next via cable. Each person is responsible for maintaining proper speed and control, sometimes this is easier said than done! Here I am headed to the 3rd of 6 stops.



Amy and I were leaders of the study abroad trip. She was a great travel companion!







Here I am crossing the Potrerillos Reservoir.







Close-ups should be outlawed once over 40.







Day 6, Mendoza City Scenes
Central Market - full of fruits, veggies, meat, and small eateries with sandwiches and empanadas!




Beautiful tree-lined streets of Mendoza.








Jessica with our wonderful driver, Rogelio.







Shopping for seafood.

I had never led a study abroad trip until now. The students made the job easy. They were wonderful ambassadors of Illinois State University. Not only did they have real desire for knowledge and adventure, but they supported and looked after each other. Getting to know each one of them was a treat. Similarly, with Amy's prior experience taking students abroad she knew what to expect and that was very helpful to me. So in all, special thanks goes to Dr. Amy Hurd, Dr. Hugo Martinez, Dr. Kike Forradellas, Lic. Erica Gili, Dr. Klaus Schmidt, Dean Jeff Wood, Assoc. Dean Todd McLoda, Dr. Alan Lacy and to my wonderful husband Tom Terrific, for their support!