We mentioned to Mariana, the sommelier at the B&B where we were staying, that we were looking for a relaxing way to spend our last day in Argentina.

She suggested an outing to Termas Cacheuta, a set of thermal pools less than an hour outside Mendoza.

A van picked us up at 9 am.   We joined a dozen locals heading out of town for a relaxing day in the country.

The facility had 21 pools that spilled over the mountainside, each a different size and temperature.  We visited on a Monday, so the park was uncrowded – the perfect place to relax. The day slipped by quickly.

At 5 pm, we boarded the van for the trip back to Mendoza.  An Argentine woman – she must have been nearly 90 – sat in front of us.

She heard us speaking English, turned around and said: “Is this your first visit to Argentina?  Are you enjoying it?”

We told her we had a wonderful time, loved the country, loved the people.

She asked how we were making out with the language.  We explained that Caroline and Conor spoke Spanish, and they had been our interpreters.  This seemed to please her very much.

“My parents were Scots-Irish,” she said.  “I was born in Mendoza and have lived here all my life.  I have been to the United States, and every summer my grandchildren go to Colorado to ski.”

We continued chatting.  We told her that we hoped to return to Argentina one day, to spend more time here and to visit Patagonia.

Then, in a gesture that was both touching and optimistic (considering her age), she said: “Here is my card.  When you return to Argentina you must come back to Mendoza.  I’d love to have you stay with me at my house.”