Mendoza

As a result of the Airline strikes in Argentina, we all traveled to Mendoza in a Chevalier Luxury Bus. The pleasant journey and restful sleep enjoyed by everyone was evident when we eventually arrived, after a quick shower at the Quinta and Suites owned by the Barraco Family, at the Children Singer's College in the City of Mendoza. It was all preparation, workshops, and integration during this our first day in Mendoza, where in spite of the evident language barriers, it was admirable how through song, emotions, and communication was established by the two choral groups.

Lele Fernandez, Director of the Children Singers Choral Group, Her Mother, (Principal of the Children's Singers College) and Brother (Member of the Children Singer's Choral Group) managed our activities with vocation, feeling and a wonderful attitude.

On the First of December we prepared ourselves for our trip to the Don Orione Church, one of the highest churches in the world. Don Orione is the only Argentine Saint. To be able to sing at 4000 meters above sea level made Simply Blue feel that they could almost touch the heavens.

Unusually for December, our summer month, Las Cuevas, - the border post with Chile in the Andes Mountains was under snow. For many of Simply Blue this was their first experience at seeing snow. The trip through the Andes was enchanting with the amount of snow still present in the range. We visited the Bridge of the Incas, dined in the Frontier Hostel, and visited the San Martin Bridge, as well as having a most clear and spectacular view of the Aconcagua Mountain, highest mountain in the Americas.

On our return to Mendoza City, Simply Blue were able to enjoy the company of their host brothers and sisters in an evening in the Central Area of the City, bubbling with youth and entertainment.