Although there is a big Spanish influence here, it was also Italians who established the wine industry in this area. But we were pleased to find a lovely title typical tapas bar for lunch here on Plaza Espana. Imagine our surprise to see the poster on the wall was exactly the same as that on my sister Mary’s kitchen!
This week there is a big Italian festival in Plaza Italia. All the Italians and wannabes get together for a big party two evenings running. Sadly the first was hit by a huge storm so I hope it didn’t have to be cancelled.
The city has been laid out by a French designer with a huge central plaza (Independencia) and surrounded by 4 small plazas. Our hotel is on one, San Martin (currently torn up, everything in the vicinity being replaced, big mess. 5 blocks south of here is Espana, 5 blocks west of that Italians, blocks north of that Chile, from which Mendoza was settled before it became independent.
On the west side of the city is a huge park, one of the most impressive on the continent - according to the description. Buses go there just marked Parque. We spent an afternoon strolling it with its boast of 50,000 trees of 75 varieties. There is a beautiful palm avenue and apparently a rose garden (closed for renos with 5000 species of roses.) English and European parks and gardens are far more impressive. But it was pleasant strolling along leafy walks with plenty of runners, rowers and walkers on a Tuesday - as one of the universities and the city rowing club is there.
Many big city events are held there in the auditorium and the big parades set for Friday night and Saturday morning for the harvest festival will start there.
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