Home, Home on the Pampas

Singing and dancing Gaucho-style

The old Estancia stood in beautiful grounds, the warm winds blowing the tall grasses of the Pampas.  Flowering shrubs cascaded down the side of the white-washed ranch house, mature trees providing a delightful canopy.

Peacocks strutted amongst the grazing horses and scratching chickens, emitting an occasional cry.  A male showed off his colours proudly to two disinterested peahens.

The dogs regarded us with mild interest, never taking their eyes off the old patriarch dressed in traditional flared gaucho pants, leather boots and cowboy hat.  

I'm watching you - I'm watching everything

Gauchos demonstrating their skills

They were probably the best fed dogs we had seen in a while: the German Shepherds like wolves with glossy coats and salivating pink tongues.  But the black Shepherd cross believed he was in charge, running with the gauchos and the horses, willing them to follow him.  Then he would stop and roll in the grass, evidently satisfied with what was going on.

Part of the churrasco barbeque

The traditions of the gauchos unfolded before us - energetic singing and dancing, skilled horse racing and the churrasco - the Argentinean assault of beef, chicken and lamb that appeared from the impressive outdoor barbeque. 

Mate gourd cup and drinking straw

This was followed by mate a tea-like drink derived from the herb yerba. A tradition in Argentina and Uruguay, the silt-like drink is brewed and rebrewed with boiling water during the day then sucked from a special gourd cup through a metal straw with its own straining device.

Meanwhile the old black Shepherd never took his eyes off the proceedings.   And if dogs can smile, I’d say that’s what he was doing.