There is so much about Mendoza that is like a heaven to me... Mate is everywhere, really good red wine also everywhere, chocolate. I am very intimidated by the amount of meat people eat here. Its in everything, and if it isn't directly, then it's cooked in lard. Our waiter explained the soups today as the meat soup or the chicken soup...So, naturally I was concerned. I did a little hunting around yesterday... I did see one little tienda de health, it was the size of my closet in the dorms at western state college
. It did, however have just what I needed, nuts and dried fruit! Who cares if you are in the neat capital of the entire southern hemisphere when you can find dried fruit and nuts!.
Which brings me to my next topic...all the lonely vegans, where do we go for lunch? I've actually found some bomb salads down here. Aside from just wine as an export, there is lots of exported olive and olive oil coming from here. So, bam! That's what I'll sustain off of! Plus, I love how south America has such a sweet tooth, chocolate stores on every street! (double bam!!)
As we were walking home last night we found an open air market. Yaaay! Now we're talking! Tons of bulk herbs, grains (even the ones we eat!) plenty more dried fruit, chia seeds, nuts, fresh veggies and fruits. Plus all your basics, neon striped mini dresses, brick oven fired pizza, knock off chuck taylors, even a little stand with all your basic toiletries. Sweet, I'm going to survive, and I don't have to eat bisteka to do it!
To top it off, we did find two vegetarian restaurants today, they wee buffet style and loaded with great yummy things. Also, cherry season!! Mmmmhmmm, two cherry seasons in one year?!
I know the meat thing is of interest to a lot of you as well, so I will tell you that Ryan reports very positively on the subject. The cows did live a happy life, and the meat is cooked over a large wood fire.
