Three weeks in, people. Mendoza is growing on me, and I am proud to say that I feel very much at home here. I am also proud to say that I feel very much a part of the family I am living with. After an evening out with them and the rest of the entire Italian family to celebrate my host cousin’s 24^th birthday, I got a taste of life as a true Italian Mendocino.

Historically, Argentina experienced an influx of Italian immigrants at the end of the 19^th and beginning of the 20^th century, and I am lucky enough to be staying with an Italian family in Mendoza. Not only can I bond with them over my Italian roots, but I also get the absolute best home cooked meals in Mendoza.

The birthday celebration was exactly as you could imagine. It was loud, wild, rowdy, but amazing. Every single family member reminded me exactly of my aunts, uncles, and cousins from home. Have you ever wondered what it would be like during week three of life in Mendoza? Or to dine with an Argentine family from Italy? It is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced (unless you are also Italian).

Dinner started at 10 p.m., and about thirty people shuffled into a tiny room decorated with balloons and lanterns hanging from the ceiling. We ate salad, empanadas, asado, chicken, and vegetables. Meat galore. After eating asado, delicious barbequed meats smothered in sizzling butter, the waiters came out with plates of chicken covered in cheese. This was after we ate empanadas filled with ham and cheese, and others with meat.

The Argentines also really like their salt, so everyone was shouting, chewing, and pouring salt everywhere. The waiters brought trays of meat like there was no tomorrow. And of course everyone asks you if you need more, and it is unbelievably difficult to say no even though you were full twenty minutes ago. And the food just keeps on coming.

Afterwards, we had three options for our dessert, including cheesecake, flan or tiramisu. The tiramisu was my choice, and definitely a good one for that matter. Feeling beyond satisfied, I was only greeted with two more birthday cakes with oreo and dulce de leche fillings to celebrate. We sang, sang again, and sang again. We sang for all the desserts. There were even mini pastries floating around the room. I couldn’t tell you what they were, but they, too, were delicious.

By the end of the night, I was absolutely stuffed and positive that I had never eaten so much in my entire life. The food was finally done being served at 1:30 a.m., but the life of the party was still booming, as music played and the birthday girl was hopping from table to table, dancing and laughing with family members. It was incredible.

Although I could barely keep my eyes open by the end of the meal, I was very appreciative of my family for having me at their celebration. I learned that the meat here is very salty but very tasty and that this Italian family is just like my own. There is never a dull moment, never a time when you aren’t chewing or chatting, and everyone has a personality that brings something crazy or hilarious to the table. Cheers to living in Mendoza for three weeks!