September 14, 2018

September 14, 2018

This morning we drove 90 minutes northwest of Buenos Aires into the Pampas region. The Pampas is Argentina’s Ranch country known worldwide for their beef exports. We stopped at Estancia Santa Susana ranch to learn about Gauchos and their lifestyle. Gauchos were the lawless Argentine version of our cowboys.

The Gaucho distinctive dress included wide pants, ponchos, and silver-coined belts. They threw Bolas (a ball on the end of a rope) instead of lariats to corral stray animals. After a welcome drink and Empanada snack, we took a horseback ride around the ranch. Gaucho saddles don't have a horn to hold onto.

We then had lunch with more meat and wine. Argentines eat twice the amount of meat than the average American. We were entertained by Tango dancing, Malambo (Gaucho tap dancing), and a singer/guitarist duo.

Before leaving the ranch, the Gaucho waiters saddled up and gave us a horsemanship demo. Aimee especially liked the Ring Race where a horseman tries to nab a ring at full gallop. Successfully grabbed rings are given with a kiss to the prettiest girls. Aimee got two.

We had another group dinner. I skipped everything but the desert. It feels like in the last few days Aimee and I have eaten more red meat than all of last year. The dinner was at a restaurant in an old warehouse on the re-developed Puerto Madero port district. On the waterfront is a brightly-lit masted Frigate Museum and a very modern rotating cantilevered Footbridge.