Last Wednesday we visited with friends of our friend. Carolina is a good friend of mine who is originally from Northern Argentina and now lives in San José. She asked me to bring a few things to a good friend of hers who lives in Mendoza. We waited until Tuesday to call him, this was a big mistake, but more on that later.
Since we had Tango Lessons on Tuesday, we made arrangements with Domingo to go to lunch at his house on Wednesday. Domingo's house is in an area outside of Mendoza that started with a V and now I cannot remember. It was about 15 minutes outside the city and in the middle of a bunch of vineyards. Domingo was due to arrive to our apartment at 1:30, we had forgotten to give him our apt number and Domingo had forgotten my cell phone number. So after about 20 min, I went downstairs, and there is Domingo, full of smile and apologies. He had been waiting since 1:30. And he was apologizing.
He took us to his home, which was just beautiful. I'll let the Steve describe the home later, but it was kind of a modern Mediterranean style with tan stucco and long rectangular lines. On the inside the home was warm and lovely, wood floors with smiling Laura and her new baby in the kitchen. Their older daughter, Josefina is 2.5 and full of life. Her nickname is José, (and such a great nickname, if we ever have a little girl, it is going on my list). Domingo and Laura, despite speaking English very well, had been forbidden by Carolina to speak anything butt Spanish. Every once in a while, Domingo would try to help us with English, but then would remind himself out loud, "Carolina said no English."
Laura is a lawyer by morning and yet by 2, had a full hot cooked and delicious Argentine meal for us. Before we knew it, time had passed and it was time for me to return to the school for a private tutoring lesson. We started to pile in the car and then Domingo offered to let Steve and Paco hang there while he took me back and then he returned to work. So poor Laura was left entertaining the boys after working all morning and then cooking us lunch! But Steve said it was wonderful and Paco just played outside all afternoon. José and Paco got along well, though Paco still struggles to articulate his sentiments in Spanish.
During the lunch Domingo had said he thought we would call him on Sunday, and we should of done so. I always think that I want to do my own thing, but as when we were in Ireland, it is the visiting that I remember most fondly, not the monuments.
While we were at their house, we got the call that our flight was delayed. Domingo proceeded to call several people to try to sort us out with a shorter layover. While unsuccessful, his hospitality was greatly appreciated.
In a way, he and Laura represent everything Mendocino. Full of live and love, anxious to help in any way possible, rich, delicious food and even richer hospitality. Family and friends are the center of life, they are more than happy to share everything they have. Both Steve and I were very grateful for the experience.
Love, Erin
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