Saturday, 11/11/23: These SERVAS People Know How to Have Fun

After breakfast in the hotel, we boarded buses and headed for the Cerro de la Gloria (Mountain of Glory) to visit the Monument to the Army of the Andes on the edge of Mendoza.  The highest of this imposing group of metal statues is an allegorical Liberty breaking chains symbolizing the successful struggle for independence from Spanish rule.  The monument also includes a statue of José de San Martín on horseback.  In the austral summer of 1817, San Martín lead an army of 4000 from Mendoza across the same pass which I had crossed by bus on Thursday.  His army triumphed in battles in what became Chile, and he later successfully took the independence cause to Peru.  He is revered in Argentina, Chile, and Peru as “El Libertador” (the liberator) for his major role in freeing South America from Spanish rule.  It is tragic that the independent nations of South America were subsequently led by men who did not embrace the rule of law and democratic values that took hold in the U.S.A. and Canada.  It has taken nearly 200 years to vanquish the tradition of corrupt strong men who held back development of free societies in Latin America.     

There was a festive air among the members of SERVAS:  Posing for group photos while holding flags of their nations, singing, and cheering.  I was sorry not to have brought a Colorado state flag with me which I could have held up proudly.  Given the sad history of US interference in Latin American affairs in the past such as CIA involvement in the 1973 military coup in Chile, I would have been hesitant to hold up a US flag while standing with a group advocating peace.

Planting trees for peace in a Mendoza park 

We left the monument and part way down the mountain road, the buses pulled into a parking area with a view of the city where we planted several trees to commemorate the commitment of SERVAS to world peace.  We took turns ceremonially excavating and shoveling dirt on the saplings while local foresters did the bulk of the work.  And once again, it was time for singing and a Sanskrit chat which Servas President Radha taught us.  And, of course, more photos with flags and banners. 

The wine flowed freely at this Servas lunch.

 

The buses dropped us back at the hotel, and we walked a block to the tram station and took a train to the end of the line for a visit to the Lopez bodega and winery.  After a short tour, we were led to the tasting room where the tempo of fun accelerated with numerous toasts and clicking of wine glass.  Later, we were fed thick steaks (cheese raviolis for the few of us vegetarians), the wine continued to flow, and the group got pleasantly rowdy.  I was seated next to a 70ish Chilean couple who live 1000 km south of Santiago.  The husband, Juan, is blind.  After lunch, his wife, Eloise, asked if I would guide Juan into the men’s room.  So, I took him by the elbow and helped him find the toilet, washbasin, and towels.  I think it was the first time I’ve guided a blind person.  Juan seems like a warm, gentle soul and I was pleased to be able to help him.   

After two days with these Servas folk, it’s obvious that they are quite successful at doing good while having fun.  And their positive outlook is infectious.