Think I'm taking the job...

At least for 3 months. Carolyn couldn't raise the salary, but she did agree to less hours so I can do some consulting work with other wineries if I want to, as well as travel. (Machu Picchu in July anyone?). Also, this salary would only be for 3 months, and then we'll reassess how it's working for both of us. I'm thinking I'll change my ticket home to mid-August so I can go to Gena's wedding, enjoy NYC in its awful August humidity, and get a wardrobe update. Oh, maybe see some of you guys, too...

I sent an email to Guillermo, in the Altocedro office, asking his advice, since he's got a lot of the potential winery opportunities for me...

What else... since I've been back in Mendoza as of Saturday night, I've had more than my share of wine... Sunday was a big asado at Myfawny's sister's house (she the Welsh/Argentine who started a tourism company with her American boyfriend Adam), and we spent the day jumping on her niece's trampoline, me showing off my skills from the 6th grade. (I can still flip!) Dangerous after consuming a lot of Malbec, however.

Monday and Wednesday I went back to the Altocedro office to wrap up some projects and I'll go back tomorrow to get paid and talk to Guille about possible other winery opps. Monday night was the weekly tasting and we had 6 different Bornadas. My fave ended up being the cheapest of the night ($33 pesos) - Los Perdices.

Tuesday afternoon Katie, Jo and I got a private tour of Don Manuel Villafañe winery with Federico, one of Karim's best friends and head winemaker. They're not open to the public, so he picked us up at our hostel and we joined him on his weekly rounds of tank and barrel tastings. He had some refreshing whites (Chardonnay and Torrontes, some sparkling), which was a nice change from the overload of reds we've been drinking. After three or so hours of tasting (and spitting out almost half, so we weren't completely drunk), we were still done for and had an easy night at a cafe after some disappointing empanadas from Mercado Central. Also scored a bottle of DMV's Gran Reserva Malbec and a bottle ofTorrontes, courtesy of Federico.

Last night was Winemaker's Night at the Vines, and yet another tasting. Domaine Santo Diego. The winemaker, a man of about 65 years old, under 5" tall, was more entertaining than his wines. We tasted only 3, and obviously 9pm is too early to go home so some of the girls from the weekly tasting group went out for a beer on Aristedes (the main strip of bars with nice outdoor seating) and I got some advice for this morning's meeting.

After my meeting with Caroyln, I went for a nice run around the lake in the big Central Park like park then met Jo back at the hostel. We made an awesome salad for lunch (the equivalent of $1.50 US for everything in the salad plus a pound of grapes. I paid about $0.50 US for 4 mandarines and an apple earlier). You know I love my cheap produce.

Now it's off to the hair salon so I can stop wearing my hair in a ponytail 24/7. About three people have seen my hair down in the past month and each commented on how I need to do it more. Oops, guess La Consulta let me slip on a few things beauty-wise. Back to city living!