The bus ride through the city to Maipu (pronounced My Poo) leaves us with three new Israeli friends. The “what stop should we get off at” conversation on the bus has tied us together. No longer strangers, we move off in a group to find our tour operator. We intend to rent bikes to ride around visiting the different vineyards that offer tastings and tours. Mr. Hugo’s bike rental is about 100 yards from the bus stop.
As we walk into the bike shop Mr Hugo himself hands us large glasses of wine and tells us to wait a few minutes while our bikes are readied. We make it through two glasses of wine before even mounting a bike. Already buzzed, I am secretly scared of the samplings and tastings ahead. Luckily I check my breaks within the first 100 meters. My back break does not work at all. Visions of flying over the handle bars persuade me to return the bike for a new one.
Round two is more successful. My water bottle and purse are in my handlebar basket. We are off. While riding to our first stop, I learn that one of our new Israeli friends, Illi, aspires to join the Navy Seals. He was so inspired after reading an autobiography about a navy seal who sacrificed himself for his friends/team, that he plans to join the few and the proud. He is even wearing socks that sport the American flag.
We veer off the road and park our bikes at the wine museum. Giant wood barrels stretch out before us. I am handed a glass of wine to drink while I tour the historical collection of machines and instruments used to transform a grape into vino.
Thank goodness I brought a giant cheese sandwich with me on this little excursion. I scarf my food before mounting the bike again and departing for the next vineyard. With a full stomach, I feel more stable as we ride off as a group. We peddle along the poplar lined road winding our way through grape fields.
As we walk into the bike shop Mr Hugo himself hands us large glasses of wine and tells us to wait a few minutes while our bikes are readied. We make it through two glasses of wine before even mounting a bike. Already buzzed, I am secretly scared of the samplings and tastings ahead. Luckily I check my breaks within the first 100 meters. My back break does not work at all. Visions of flying over the handle bars persuade me to return the bike for a new one.
Round two is more successful. My water bottle and purse are in my handlebar basket. We are off. While riding to our first stop, I learn that one of our new Israeli friends, Illi, aspires to join the Navy Seals. He was so inspired after reading an autobiography about a navy seal who sacrificed himself for his friends/team, that he plans to join the few and the proud. He is even wearing socks that sport the American flag.
We veer off the road and park our bikes at the wine museum. Giant wood barrels stretch out before us. I am handed a glass of wine to drink while I tour the historical collection of machines and instruments used to transform a grape into vino.
Thank goodness I brought a giant cheese sandwich with me on this little excursion. I scarf my food before mounting the bike again and departing for the next vineyard. With a full stomach, I feel more stable as we ride off as a group. We peddle along the poplar lined road winding our way through grape fields.The view from the 
terrace at the furthest winery we visit is amazing. While we sample three glasses, we have more opportunity to chat with our random Israeli friends. We learn that Itay, is a self proclaimed ladies-man and that Ellad is of Brazilian descent, but was adopted by an Israeli family. He is on a mission to find his birth mother in Brazil. Who are these people that we have found ourselves spending the day with?
terrace at the furthest winery we visit is amazing. While we sample three glasses, we have more opportunity to chat with our random Israeli friends. We learn that Itay, is a self proclaimed ladies-man and that Ellad is of Brazilian descent, but was adopted by an Israeli family. He is on a mission to find his birth mother in Brazil. Who are these people that we have found ourselves spending the day with?As the wine keeps flowing, we make friends from Germany, Canada, Norway and The States. 
We chat, of what, I could not tell you exactly. Around 6pm, the winery kicks us out. Back to the bikes. The ride back is concentrated. I take care to watch my speed, every bump in the road and every car. Drunk on wine and riding bikes sounds like something the parents would frown upon. I should be careful. Once we hit Mr. Hugo’s bike shop I sigh with relief. I managed to avoid drunken death. Horaaay.
We chat, of what, I could not tell you exactly. Around 6pm, the winery kicks us out. Back to the bikes. The ride back is concentrated. I take care to watch my speed, every bump in the road and every car. Drunk on wine and riding bikes sounds like something the parents would frown upon. I should be careful. Once we hit Mr. Hugo’s bike shop I sigh with relief. I managed to avoid drunken death. Horaaay. 
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