January 17,

We both awoke refreshed, this is always a blessing! I got up to get some cold water in the kitchen. When I opened the door… a bird frantically flew at me!!! Well not really at me, as just about the room. But I was startled, as much as it was probably. I screamed and closed the door back up. I calmed down a bit and went to tell Jeff. He got up and he spent a good twenty minutes trying to get it out the window. But the bird was not having that. So Jeff opened the balcony doors and then the kitchen door. The bird found the way and flew out! Finally, what a way to wake up!!! We like our place, but… we’ll see. Then I showered and Jeff went out to get a SIM card for his cell phone. When he returned we had a very late breakfast- rather, more a brunch, having the two pieces of leftover pizza and some yogurt. We ate out on our balcony with our Javas..

Around 1230 we went out and about. Our new home is close to the center of town. We walked to a couple of five small parks around us. They are more like a square that is a green space. We found a tourist stand and checked it out. She spoke good English… one of the few, as we have been experiencing. We got some info on the city of Mendoza and possible winery tours. As we left, going to the large Carrefour, a kid was selling socks. Well that was convenient, Jeff needed some. We arrived at the grocery store- had some trouble finding the entry. We did our shopping from the list and other essentials, as we will be here for one month. We had too much stuff to carry walking back, so Jeff was hailing a Cabify, when it started raining. That was unexpected! Our ride came and we rushed out into the car. This luxury cost us 4,200 ARS including a tip, or $3.10. Anyway back at our place, we unloaded and made our lunch- cheese, salami, and bread with a local Malbec wine. Then we did planning and I wrote out our transition blog. We went out to a local fruit and veggie (mom and pop place) and bought some produce. For supper we had a salad and bread with a Chardonnay wine. Then we watched Solo: A Star Wars Story.

January 18,

We got about at around 0730. I slept decently, but it was hot again. Jeff did not sleep well, he was hotter than I, and changed the air conditioner at least twice and turned on the ceiling fan, which is unusual for him. That is one thing that I have not mentioned, getting used to AC’s in different places. It takes a night or two. We both prefer to be colder and snuggling into blankets. Our last place did not have AC, but we never needed it. Anyway, I was leery of going into the kitchen, but I did, albeit, cautiously. No bird, YAY!! 👏🏻 Hopefully it was a one off situation! We had our Javas and breakfast on our balcony and listened to the city waking up. People stay up later- many restaurants don’t open until 2000 for supper, so they wake up later the next morning.

Today was our connection day. First we did a WhatsApp video with my mom and her husband. They are well and keeping warm as they had a dusting of snow. Then I did some blogging and caught up on my calendar that I have been keeping since April ‘23. I just list the places we were at and it allows me a bit of artist expression. At 1300 we did our Zoom link with our church back home and watched the service.

Around 1630, we went out for “lunner.” Jeff had found an Argentine restaurant near us, called ‘Restaurante Estancia La Pasion.’ It had great reviews, so we went. Oh My!! We each had a steak: one Sirloin, and one Ribeye. They each came with one side. We had a Sweet Potato Mash, and sauteed Veggies- Eggplant, Zucchini, Bell Peppers, Onion, and Carrot. We were also given bread and three dipping salsas-a creamy garlic, a Pico de Gallo, and an Herby Cilantro. On the table was an Olive oil, Balsamic Vinegar Reduction, and a Vinaigrette (all were local). Wow, wow,WOW!!
We enjoyed this meal immensely! The steaks were the best we have had since we left the USA!!! We also had a great Argentine Malbec Wine, called Saint Felicien. Our YUMMY meal cost us 83,700 ARS, which is $58.55.

Back at our place, we ended the evening sharing our week on WhatsApp video with our sisters: my sister and then Jeff’s sister and her husband. All are well. We ended the day feeling blessed