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- Oct 20, 2022, 5:34pm
- ☀️ 26 °C
- Altitude: 714 m
- ArgentinaMendozaDepartamento de GuaymallénBermejo32°52’54” S 68°48’45” W
Happy Anniversary
October 20, 2022 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Every October 20 since 2007 we have spent the anniversay of the day we met (and subsequently wed) in a different place in this old world. Even during the pandemic, with all the travel restrictions, we managed to celebrate in two "new" places closer to home: Toronto and Whistler.
Twelve years ago we honeymooned in Chile and have ever since wanted to return there. Our plan this winter is to spend most of the gray Vancouver months residing in Santiago, but since we couldn't do a repeat celebration there, we opted for a couple of weeks, pre-Chile, in the Argentinian wine region of Mendoza.
After exchanging anniversary cards, Brenda and I set out to buy a bottle of the locally produced Chandon bubbly for about $10.00 CDN. We then discovered a very interesting shopping area, filled mostly with locals. On one corner we came across a sandwich board outside a restaurant offering two slices of cheese pizza and a 450ml can of beer for 620 pesos, about $3.50 CDN. How could we resist?
When we returned to the condo, we began our hunt for a suitable dining spot for dinner and decided upon Calendula, a highly-rated vegetarian restaurant within walking distance. Many restaurants here close between 3:00 and 8:00 PM, but Calendula is open all day, which is perfect for us old timers who don't want to be eating dessert at 11:00. And so, we donned our best travel duds and arrived at Calendula at 6:30 only to learn that the kitchen doesn't open until 8:00! We were offered the opportunity to have cocktails and snacks while we waited, but we still had a bottle of Chandon on ice at home to enjoy.
Fortunately, Calendula is only two blocks from Arestides, the main drag for Mendoza's nightlife and it is crammed with restaurants. We dilligently walked along, stopping to inspect posted menus for suitable vegetarian fare. After a couple of blocks, we came to Republica, an Italian restaurant that had a very delicious-sounding Mushroom risotto on the menu.
We wanted to have at least one glass of bubbly to start our evening, but we could only order a full bottle. The waiter brought us a lovely unoaked Chardonnay from Enemigo instead, but when I explained it was our anniversary and we were hoping for some bubbles, he promptly returned with two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine.
For starters we had a huge plate of kale and chard fritters that was served with a Romesco sauce. The musroom risotto was such a generous portion that Brenda didn't even manage to finish hers! I, however, made a complete glutton of myself and nearly licked the bowl clean. That wonderful meal cost us a whopping $ 42.42 CDN.
After dinner, we waddled back to the condo where we dove into our bottle of Chandon and a few alfajores, an Argentinian delight that I'll talk about another day.
After sixteen years knowing Brenda with twelve of those years having her as my wife, I love spending time with her, love exploring the world with her and just plain love her more than ever. I am a very lucky man.Read more
you are both very lucky people to have each other [bboop]
What a lovely way to spend your anniversary. You both look wonderfully healthy and happy. Enjoy life at is fullest and stay safe [Retah Jennings Lalon]
Here's to love! [Heather]
Traveler Happy anniversary Roch and Brenda! 🥳🎉