Friday we made a trip to an Argentine Estancia. An Estancia is the Spanish and Portuguese word for the North American term 'ranch'. An Estancia is a large rural estate, most typically located in the southern South American grasslands, or the pampas. The Estancia's have historically always been a livestock (cattle or sheep) estate, unlike a ranch in the US producing grain, coffee, vegetables, etc. The Estancia's ranch worker on horseback, the gaucho, is an important national folklore in Argentina, much like the cowboy of North America.
We left for the Estancia about 9:30 on Friday morning, after a rough night out the night before for my friend Joelle's birthday. The bus ride was about 2 hours. It was a nice break to get outside of the bustling city of Buenos Aires! Once we arrived to the Estancia, we toured the house on the property. Then I hopped on a bike with dangerously flat tires and cruised around the estate myself. After we had an Argentine Asado - or barbeque. Tons of meat, of all cuts and varieties (I haven't stopped eating since arriving in BsAs). Then, some Argentine 'gauchos' and a few mujeres came in, gave us a traditional dance, and then made us dance with them as well (awkward pictures included above).
Afterwards, we wound up at the pool, baking in the 3 pm hot Argentine sun (I was obviously covered in 'proteccion', or sunscreen). This reminds me of the other day when, I was minding my own business, having a quick cafe in the morning sun. A woman came up to me and asked if she could give me some advice. She started to go off about how I shouldn't be in the sun, asking if I am wearing sunscreen, blah blah blah. Seriously, I know I'm pale - but c'mon lady! I am smart about wearing sunscreen and never overdo my sun intake (don't worry ma).
After some bathing in the sun for a couple hours, we had some tea, some desserts, and we returned to the big bad city.
Did you show them your infamous dance move (you know the one where you get a wide stance and grind your knee into the ground)?
ReplyDeleteMeish -
ReplyDeleteHaaaaaa. Sadly, yes!
Hi Maggie. Happy valentines day. Bruce and I are sitting down post-valentines dinner to take in some of your buenos aires adventures. It sounds like you are having a great time. We love looking at your pictures and reading your stories. ( who's the good looking dude in the duke t-shirt???
ReplyDeleteThis place looks amazing, and sounds very relaxing. I LOVE the picture of the tree lined road/path and the pool looks so inviting. Very jealous!!
ReplyDeleteAnn and Bruce --
ReplyDeleteValentines dinner, how sweeeet.. I am really loving Buenos Aires. I have been emailing with Jane, I cannot wait for her to come down. We are going to have so much fun together. Also, found out I don't have school for most of the time she is here - break for Easter - soo happy about that! Thanks for following the blog. The dude is a friend from my Seminar (seminar before the MBA program starts in March), he goes to Duke and is here with several other Americans doing the program.
Bec!
The Estancia was so great and relaxing, just like you said. Thanks for following along! More posts to come soon!
Love,
Mags