Sunday Fun Day
It is Sunday afternoon in Mendoza. We finally managed to skip town yesterday for a bit of climbing. Enough waiting about for the cable guy. We had had enough. So, determined to leave town we set the alarm for 6:45am. Now, we have been setting an alarm a couple days a week just to rouse ourselves at a normal time. These attempts have all failed, but like I said, we were determined to leave town. So, our trusty alarm went off at the correct time and we groggily stumbled about the apartment getting things ready for our day trip. A quick walk to the bus station, a 2 hour bus ride, and we were there.
We considered this more off an expedition mission then anything else, so the fact that we actually got some climbing in was a bonus. Didn't know if we would be hiking a couple km to the climbing spot, where to get off the bus, what the routes but more importantly surrounding areas would hold, etc. Luckily, we found the right spot: just over the little bridge, down the dirt road, and past the thorn bushes. The thorn bushes were a bit of a problem but nothing we couldn't handle. I have wanted to purchase a machete basically the entire time we have been in Latin America and now, I have a reason to buy one.
It has been a while since we climbed, so the start was on the rough side. But quick draw by quick draw we made our way to the top and managed to finally set up a top rope. We climbed what at first seemed impossible, but was now proving to be easier and a lot of fun. The major difference between climbing indoor and outdoor is the ability to see the route. Indoor you have colored tape marking your path, but outdoor you are looking at an unmarked rock face trying to figure out the route. For me, this is much harder. We managed to have some fun and get some good climbing in before the sun became a problem. It is hard to climb when you are looking directly up into the sun. And its hot here, really, really hot. I could see the heat coming off the rock as I was belaying Todd. So we called it a day, packed up, and grabbed a beer while we waited for the bus. And of course with the beer, we immediately started playing back the entire day. Good times!
We crashed last night after a quick bite of delivery pizza. Best pizza so far in Mendoza, arugula and all. This morning I woke up tight and tired. My body was revolting from the climbing but after a cup of coffee I managed to make it to aerobics in the park. It was awesome! Me and women of all ages, the men just seemed to watch, doing aerobics under the blazing sun listening to super loud Latino beats. It was great. And of course, my favorite song, "One, Two, Three, Four, Uno, Dos, Tres, Cuatro. You know I want you, you know I need you..." was played. This is the first song I heard in Mexico City and it has followed us south during this journey. It just makes me smile every time it comes on. So, my work out woke me up, perked me up, and I am ready for a great Sunday.
Todd is off making copies of articles. His new favorite activity. And checking to see if the laundromat is open. We desperately need to get some things washed. Other then that, we may be attending our first authentic Argentine asado aka bbq or going to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Either way, I feel great today.