Mendoza...A chilly tourist hotspot

Today was devoted to seeing the beautiful little city of Mendoza (pop. 300,000). We began with a complementary breakfast in the hotel:

Then we put on our warmest weather gear and set out for a day of frigid exploring (last night's low = 26 degrees, today's projected high = 44 degrees). 

If you don't believe me because you are reading this blog while enjoying the summer sun, here is Isabel playing in some snow in the central plaza to prove it:

Mendoza, aside from being the viticultural capital of Argentina and producing a full 2/3 of the country's wine, has grown up around wealthy visitors seeking out bodegas...much like Napa Valley (though on a smaller scale). The city is filled with shops and artisanal boutiques selling everything from fine wine, to cashmere sweaters, to souvenir trinkets and gizmos. Restaurants abound, as do tree-lined avenues, gourmet chocolatiers, and the occasional ski shop (we are within a stone's throw of the Andes, after all).

Some photos from the city:

And sometimes here in Mendoza you come across a yellow car sticking out of the building:

We also found a McDonald's, advertising some decidedly non-US selections:

We also saw a guy sweeping the sidewalk with a palm branch:

And then we came across the following two political billboards. The first is normal enough, but I'm not sure how I feel about the second:

After all that cold walking around--during which time Gemma got fussy and pulled her shoes and socks off--we decided to warm up with a cup of coffee and a submarino (hot chocolate) for the girls:

Then it was back to the hotel for a nap and some coloring. Doesn't everyone do that while traveling?

Feeling refreshed, we set out once again to the central pedestrian area of Mendoza to find some lunch (or, perhaps because it was 4:30pm, maybe dinner). A delightful restaurant called Adela's served us up some great steak and french fries, along with a $4 bottle of house wine. Honestly, where else can you get a bottle of wine at a restaurant for $4??? It wasn't half bad, either!

For dessert, home-made chocolate mousse:

We followed our meal with a little window shopping, and then an early night to bed. We are all exhausted! Tomorrow we visit some wineries and perhaps can catch some views of the Andes Mountains.