Mendoza.

Mendoza is to Santiago, as Tijuana is to Los Angeles -- if TJ were an inexpensive resort town. Close, but international. Enough to get out of the city for the weekend, but distant enough to feel international (especially when you're freezing at the peak of the Andes which is where the border).
It's know as the Malbec capital of the world, and I ventured there with a few new friends where we did a bike-and-wine tour of vineyards, laid about in the beautiful park there, and generally ate good food and relaxed.The park here is enormous and I would say rivals Central Park in its lakes, trees, and it's definitely got it beat in the number of gorgeous fountains.

The brightness of the stars when we were driving across the Andes was incredible. Chile is known for it's ideal star-gazing sky and I had almost forgotten how bright and remarkable the stars are here.

I did have a moment of homesickness where I intensely missed friends, family, and familiarity when I got home (note to self: traveling when you crave something known and familiar is not a good idea), but a few kind words from friends has helped ease that for now.

Pictures of Mendoza's parks and our bike-and-wine tour to come soon.

Lauren