The end is near, a giant milanesa and a chocolate brownie

Right now I'm totally fine because I've been good and completing assignments, but for awhile, I was worried. The end of the semester is hitting hard and I'm leaving for Cordoba for four days tomorrow on an over-night bus. Meaning I've had to finish all of my finals before tomorrow night. And I think I've done it. All that's left is the presenting and actually showing up.

Once I get back from Cordoba I have less than a week left in Mendoza. After the "Going Away Dinner" with the program on Thanksgiving, I'm heading to El Bolson and Bariloche (Couchsurfing with a friend) and then staying in El Bolson to work on a raspberry farm for the summer. Although, I'm still waiting on a final confirmation from the farm...

I'm thinking of planning a trip all the way down south before I head back to Mendoza for the next semester and coming back to Mendoza around March 7 (my birthday!) for the Festival de la Vendimia (huge wine festival).

In honor of not being with my family this Thanksgiving and not having a traditional meal, here are a few of my favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving themed internet items I've found this season.

This one makes me want to vomit, but it's also super cool: Fast Food Thanksgiving

I would totally create a new tradition of Mojo Turkey, plaintains, and rice and beans: Thanksgiving Dishes from the 50 States (and DC and PR)

And a video on "icecreaming" Thanksgiving from my favorite actress/food blogger Lynn Chen: Thanksgiving Ice Cream

And some pictures of food that are very not-Thanksgiving...these are some of the staples I've accumulated in Mendoza.

Empanadas filled with Spinach

Bianco y Nero. Dulce de Leche Super, Amargo con Alemndras, and Dulce de Leche. Yes, I sandwich my chocolate with dulce. This store is dangerously close to my house (less than a three minute walk). Mendoza is known for its ice cream and gelatto (here comes that Italian influence again), and I've tried ice cream at quite a few places including Milo and Sopelsa, but none of them quite compare to Bianco y Nero.

Kato cafe, very close to my house. Coffee, brownie, friends. I ordered in Spanish, but accidentally said "please." It was uncomfortable, but I made the grumpy waiter smile.

The biggest milanesa I have ever been served. It does not fit on the plate. I've had some for lunch and dinner and there's still more left. Breakfast?

Tortitas. Super important and specific to Mendoza. They are wonderful when they are fresh or heated.