Lost in Mendoza

Spring Break in Moab

2010-04-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Click images to enlarge.

Day 5 (?)

2009-12-28T19:04:00.000-08:00

I was an irresponsible moron today and forgot to have my back sunscreened before snorkeling; now I'm a rock lobster in a foreign land... Spent the afternoon condemned to the shady portion of the pool, wearing a t-shirt, hat, glasses, and sipping margaritas. I'm a rare specimen: ghost white and lacking significant body hair. Where did my people come from? Where can one exist without sun and without standard body insulation? I can see white skin and bountiful patches of fur (Northern Norway), or dark skin and no fur (Equator), but it takes generations of inbreeding to accomplish my genetic makeup.

Update on Important Matters

2009-12-27T14:47:00.000-08:00

Another Slide Show

2009-12-27T08:04:00.000-08:00

Another "boring" day!

A Slideshow of Days 1-3

2009-12-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

A few quick pics

2009-12-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry about this format. It's the only semi-efficient way to post these. Just cut and paste into your browser's address bar.

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/e1a53fc3-039c-40ad-a1a9-93635dbcffe7

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/1e37d105-d60b-4f0b-861b-392c9bef0c5d

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/993146bc-947c-425f-86b9-502b8d8d1af0

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/21ad749e-8e7e-4382-a303-80cac738c0a2

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/a417b80d-8547-4644-b1d0-8decda68ad51

Merry Xmas!

2009-12-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

My original plan was to post 11 pictures. I attempted to upload the first five, but it took 35 minutes and failed, so I'll stop here. It costs $20 / hour for essentially buggy dial-up (our resort owners are crazy whores for money). I hope your holiday was spent in the proper way: good food, good wine, proper friends and family, zero drama, and a beautiful siesta wedged in there somewhere! It's good to be alive, enjoy it while you can.

Listening to Led Zeppelin, The Rain Song. Spencer seems receptive to this. Now the Dark Side of the Moon. It fits perfectly to the surroundings.

This way seems faster, although I only managed two:

http://www.screencast.com/users/BiffermasSOH/folders/Jing/media/297742e6-46ba-423d-b88d-9c8cd1976256

Sorry guys, but I give up!

Love you all!

Finally arrived!

2009-12-24T15:32:00.000-08:00

A long, tiring travel itinerary is finally over. Jesus, I'm tired!

Today we drank some nice rum upon arrival, and simply flung ourselves into the ocean. We all needed a serious debridement, since we smelled like three cured hams. Have a happy Xmas eve, everyone (except you, Iggy; I wish you a bacon-filled holiday season!) Internet here is worse than Argentina, and it costs a fortune, so posts will be shorter than I'd like. This one picture took 15 minutes to upload. This place is pretty outstanding, and I wish all my family and friends were here with me.

24-Hour Layover in Los Angeles

2009-12-23T18:50:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles... Swimming pools, movie stars, humility, and good common-sense values. Thank God we could spend a precious day in the City of Angels! I'm happy to report to my fellow Coloradans that our water is being put to good use. What better purpose is there beyond rampant narcissism, urban sprawl, choked freeways, bronchitis, Disneyland, and Kobe's Lakers? Wearing shorts and flip-flops we watched the natives walk about in pants and winter jackets in 60-degree weather. A tough group of hardscrabble Americans, no doubt! We're currently killing five hours in LAX before taking a red-eye flight to Bora Bora (departure: 11:30 PM).

We spent most of the day at Manhattan Beach, due to it's proximity to the airport. It's quite nice, and very sedate. Ignore my snarky attitude, we had a very nice and relaxing day.

Xmas In Bora Bora

2009-12-19T06:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, we're traveling far too much these days (especially with the economy the way it is!), but who gives a shit, right? You only live once, and that life ain't very long! We're leaving Wednesday morning for French Polynesia, aka Bora Bora.

So where on God's blue earth is Bora Bora? Even among the learned, I've received that question a half dozen times this week. Full disclosure, I didn't know either until I looked it up. I'll post some photographs of the trip, if possible. Erin purchased an underwater camera, and we're all getting snorkeling gear for Xmas.

One Day in Mendoza

2009-12-01T18:17:00.000-08:00

I have a couple more posts, which I'll leak out over the next several days. I just uploaded all ten of these pictures in less than 40 seconds from my house. Wow!

These pictures cover our last day in Argentina, spent in the big city of Mendoza. A very cool city, I discovered.

Back in the USA

2009-11-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

We're back home again after another 24-hour travel itinerary, and it was a fitful, sleepless night for me. We barely made our connection in Dallas, and I don't think Alex or Richmond made their flight to Los Angeles.

I'm totally drained. Work tomorrow... ugh.

Hazy Day

2009-11-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

There are two posts today, so read further for our Thanksgiving dinner. Yesterday nothing went up because the internet cafe was clocking along at roughly 10 bytes per second. Everybody in our party is hazy and lazy on our last full day in Argentina. We're heading to Mendoza tomorrow for lunch, followed by another 24 hour travel sequence home (meh). I have many pictures to share, and I'll continue posting for a few days after I return. Our visit to Matias' (UC Davis student) winery was cool; his operation is top notch, and one post will be devoted to that.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T10:27:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nothing much to say since each day is nicely hazing into the next. For Thanksgiving we went to Ruca Malen for a five-course lunch with wine pairings. It was a wonderful way to spend my favorite holiday with the vulgar cretins I call family! Cheers to my family and friends who are reading this, I hope your Birdsgiving holiday was stress-free and spent with good people.

Love, Chris (Biff)

Vineyard Search

2009-11-25T06:47:00.000-08:00

The cost of land in Valle de Uco depends on location, soil type, views, elevation, water rights, etc. A high priced area will reside alongside a main highway, have well draining sandy / gravely soil, unobstructed views of the Andes, possess 100% water rights with a productive well, and be located within a frost-free location in an elevation band of 1000-1700 meters. Planting lower than this will subject grapes to the hazards of hail, frost, and soggy roots from poorly draining soils. We viewed land that ranged from $250,000 to $600,000 (dollars).

We looked at several parcels of land yesterday with our consultant, John. Three different strategies were discussed:

Transformation of existing land: Two parcels were composed of orchards: one aging and neglected and one in excellent shape. Both have the benefit of providing some cash flow during the transformation into vineyards, although much work, time and capital input is required to reshape land in this manner. Pests exist in fruit trees that pose a threat to newly planted vines, so waiting a year after pulling the trees is recommended by John.

Blank Slate: Two parcels were “empty”, simply meaning barren land not previously used for farming. A blank slate is alluring, but planting vines takes 3-4 years for any significant grape production to occur. One strategy under consideration is to buy virgin land, plant vines, and during the early nonproductive years source grapes from other vineyards to make wine.

Existing Vineyard: We visited a Malbec vineyard on the lower boundary of the ideal elevation zone at 3200 feet. The vines were planted 3 years ago and show damage from two consecutive years of frost (an unusual event). Most vines are progressing, but some will need to be pulled up and replanted. Harvested grapes from last year’s crop were sold to other wineries.

John owns or manages many plots of land and his emphasis is crop diversification. Many things grow here, including apples, pears, walnuts, cherries, peaches, garlic, onions, etc. On land he manages, he’ll plant several of these, rather than devote the entire acreage to grapes.

These are broad strokes, I know, and I’ll attempt to provide more specific information later.

Pig Roast

2009-11-23T08:27:00.000-08:00

Weekend in The Big City

2009-11-22T07:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was somewhat uneventful. We ventured into the 'big' city (Tunuyan) to buy groceries and eat dinner. Based on the attention we received there probably aren't many blanco aliens like us around. I'm used to blending into any crowd, so being stared at en masse was comical. The people here are very friendly and endure our awful caveman Spanish with patience / laughs. We spent a few hours this afternoon talking to John, who is our consultant on land matters. He formerly partnered with Southern Cross, another business that helps clueless gringos navigate the strange maze of purchasing vineyard land in Argentina. He's meeting with us again on Tuesday to show us some parcels for sale. We're not purchasing anything at this point, just investigating options. I'm compiling a post regarding our discussions with John that I'll throw out later this week.

A history lesson (according to Lonely Planet):

In the late 1960’s and early 70’s, antigovernment feeling was rife, and street protests often exploded into all-out riots. Several revolutionary groups focused their anger on government corruption, the oligarchies, and US influence. The incompetent president Isabel Peron created the Triple A (Alianza Argentina Anticommunista), a death squad to take on the revolutionary groups. With increasing official corruption exacerbating Isabel’s incompetence, Argentina found itself in chaos, resulting in the military seizing control of the Argentine state apparatus through a bloodless coup. Labeled El Proceso, security forces went about the country arresting, torturing, raping, and killing anyone on their hit list of suspected leftists. During the period between 1976 and 1983, often referred to as the Dirty War, estimates of 30,000 disappeared with no legal process. Ironically this era ended in the aftermath of Argentina’s failed invasion of the Falklands.

Things are much better now.

Later today our cabana owner, Jerry, is celebrating his 64^th birthday with a pig roast. We’re bringing the wine.

When I get older, losing my hair,

Many years from now,

Will you still be bringing me a valentine,

Birthday greetings, bottle of wine,

When I stay out til’ quarter to three,

Will you lock the door?

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I’m 64?

Today’s pictures are a random mix of stuff. Happy Sunday!

Update

2009-11-21T06:51:00.000-08:00

Latest Update

2009-11-20T05:45:00.000-08:00

A very long and tiring transport to the Uco Valley is finally over! We're settled in, showered, and our spirit's are improving. Today we're planning a relaxing day exploring the area and doing some wine tasting. I apologize for leaving the last post up (not a pretty picture), but internet access is restricted to a few coffee shops in Tunuyan. As a hopeless internet addict, I'm suffering withdrawls!. Although I've been impossible to contact, I'm not avoiding anybody in particular, I promise!

Our introduction to the city of Mendoza was brief and unimpressive. Leaving the airport we drove south through a very poor section of town with the typical appearance: dilapidated housing, trash, graffiti, grime etc. Witnessing this, I was suddenly grateful our destination was a good hour away. These posts are logistically difficult, so I'll post when possible.

Rotting in Dallas

2009-11-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

Some "highlights" from our trip thus far:

Click here for a closeup of his description.

Looking Forward to a Great Day Tomorrow.

2009-11-17T19:26:00.000-08:00

Leaving Tomorrow

2009-11-16T21:20:00.000-08:00

Since this is my last post before the trip begins, I'm doing something that has nothing to do with wine or travel. It does share the spirit of the insane, reckless stupidity that lays dormant in my brain, clawing out periodically to put my life on a different trajectory.

"...one of God's own prototypes. A high powered mutant of some kind who was never even considered for mass production. He was too weird to live and too rare to die..."

- Hunter S. Thompson.

"He was the last relic of the way America used to be, before the lawyers and pussies took over. A holy fool, watched over by angels who drank Old Style and smoked Lucky Strikes. A crazy, fearless, larger-than-life crackpot, last in a long line of same, heir to Davy Crockett, Wild Bill Hickok, P.T. Barnum, Horatio Nelson Jackson, Cannonball Baker, and every other kook who refused to listen to reason. The world is a smaller place without him."

The Collapse of Argentina

2009-11-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Argentina knows what happens when government defaults on it's debt: inflation, corruption, angry mobs of the general citizenry banging pots and pans. At least they were able to enjoy excellent wine during those stressful times! For those interested in what America's future might hold (this would never happen here!), watch this series on the Argentine experience. Oh, and this is meant to be a community endeavor. Comments are welcome!

November Trip to Mendoza

2009-11-15T09:48:00.001-08:00

Our trip to Argentina begins November 18th and lasts through the 28th. The main thrust of this trip is pleasure, although some serious business will be entertained. We are strongly considering a move to Mendoza in roughly 18 months. More on that later.

For now we're busy packing and finishing up some last minute details (like working two insanely busy days Monday and Tuesday). I'll post periodic updates throughout the trip.