The first thing we noticed in Mendoza was the wide - very wide - tree-lined streets laid out in a regular grid-pattern. Mendoza is centred around a group of five attractive plazas - the largest, Plaza Independencia, right in the heart of the city, with four others, Plazas Italia, España, Chile and San Martin, each set 2 blocks out from each corner of the main square. Plaza Independencia covers four blocks in the middle of the city. Founded in 1861 after a large earthquake, it has long been the public meeting spot where the locals get together. Weekends there is an arts and crafts market and there is often live music or theater. This large sign of lights is across the street from the Park Hyatt Hotel on once side of the plaza, just around the corner from our hotel.