Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” Buenos Aires—December 5, 2023

Today we went on a tour called “Pampas and Gauchos.” These tours are always a surprise—sometimes good and sometimes a bit dull. Today’s tour was both interesting and a lot of fun. We took a bus (what else?) out to the country to a family estancia, or ranch. Pablo, our tour guide for today, told us that pampas means flat South American grasslands, so the trip to the estancia wasn’t too exciting. Imagine driving across Kansas for a couple of hours. However, Pablo was able to make even this part of the trip interesting with his tales of futbol, Evita, the new Argentinian president, etc.

When we reached the estancia, we were greeted by four gauchos on horses at the entrance. They were holding flags representing the countries of the people on our bus, plus the flag of Argentina.

As we got off the bus, we were greeted by the owners, Francisco and Florenzia, an extremely friendly and gracious couple. Then, we had hot empanadas and Argentinian wine before going to watch the gauchos perform. It was kind of like a miniature rodeo with stands and all. There was a contest to choose the most elegant gaucho, whatever that might mean. Ricardo won.

After that we ate lunch in a beautiful building that seemed to serve as be a family dining and living room with a giant stone fireplace and large glass doors that opened on all sides. We were served a fabulous Argentinian barbecue, which was much the same as the meal we had in Rio at the Brazilian grilled meat restaurant. They just keep serving meat after meat at these types of meals, but I did notice that they serve it in the order of least expensive to most expensive: first sausage, then chicken, then ribeye, then filet. So, you will probably be full by the time you get to the good meat. It’s really far too much food, but their main meal is lunch and then they take a siesta.

We thought that had to be the end of the entertainment, but then some folk dancers performed for us after lunch. Good grief! Both Doug and I were pulled up to participate (me twice), but sorry, no pictures of that. Well, maybe just one.

And now, I must choose the most annoying fellow traveler of day award. Actually, it was a couple who were from Canada. Both of them were always in the forefront, always asking a million questions. The man, let’s call him Dexter, was constantly shooting off his mouth with what he considered hilarious comments. Gauchos carry knives in their waistband. I would have liked for one of them to at least knick him with their knife. Just a small cut, possibly on his shoulder.