El Altillo Hi Anna,
I have just finished 3 months at el altillo and am back at home now working until I go back to Uni. Just before leaving Mercedes I was looking on the web when I found your blog. It is crazy how you managed to capture everything so well and how things were so similar. I was there with 2 other vet students (me and another girl Tessa from Glasgow) and one girl from Edinburgh (Kat) and 2 other girls one from Holland (Natalia) and one from Spain (Gas). We were all both shocked and in histerics when reading your blog. I thought I would update you on life at the ranch. Firstly congratulations on surviving. It sounds crazy with all those people leaving and coming and you being the only one at some points. I dont know if I could have done it. You are not going to believe this,but when I was there Chantel was not there at all because someone had stolen one of their horses from the ranch in Brazil and she was tryin to find him so she was gone for the whole time. THANK GOODNESS for that as everyone in Mercedes and all the staff said she was the devil! the cameras everywhere were crazy and the stories of people told about her were mad. From reading your blog it sounds like she made everyones life hell. It was ok when we were there because although Domonique could NEVER be described as a kind or nice man, he wasnt at all like chantel. In the morning he would tell us if anything major needed to be done and then leave us to it. It sounds like Chantel was watching your every move. Her not being there also meant we could talk to the male staff. Luiz the horse trainer is still there, and we loved him. He was so kind to us all the time. He was very fond of you and kept talking about you working really hard. He was in a relationship with Gas even though he has a wife and kids in Brazil. Juan was sacked by Domonique for letting Gold go mental in a field (not his fault at all) and we were really sad to see him go as he was such a laugh. It also meant that we did his job. Most of the initial staff that were there were fired for shooting a capincho. Nelson is now in charge of the stallions with another guy called Aldo. A guy called Havier drives the tractor and he had a relationship with Natalia and for ages she thought she was pregnant and had to go to Mercedes to have a test twice! Kat was only there for a month and Domonique didnt even know her name. When she came within 3 days she got a kidney infection and pretty much didnt move from her frog cabbin for 2 weeks. Luckily we all got on really well and had a brilliant time for the 3 months. I wish you could have been there too! Chiketa is very well and playful. All the mares are great and as beautiful as ever. I would ride horses like amienda, chammamay, tornatada and condoztio as i couldnt ride when I got there (although definately can now) and the others would ride the mares like Negra mia and some of the horses from the field number one. Sun boy got his leg caught on a wire fence when he escaped and had a massive wound which we were looking after. Tango moon and Get Cash both had wounds too. we did worming and injections,but apart from that very few sick horses. Gas is still there and as she is an amazing rider she is entering a competition in Palermo with Luiz riding Esmeralda and Chico Bueno. After leaving the ranch me and Tess travelled round BA and went to Puerto Madrin to see the Whales. We would have loved to have gone to Baroloche and Mendoza. your photos look amazing! Bolivia also looks incredible with all the wild animals. there is nothing that makes you appreciate travelling more than a month of cleaning up poo. As soon as I first arrived in BA at the start of my trip I had my bag stolen. They are so quick and you dont notice anything. It must have been horrible having your camera stolen after all that time. If you want some photos of the ranch I can send them to you on a CD. Anyway good luck on the rest of your trip. It was really cool to read your blog. If you are back in the UK and fancy a drink give me an email and I will let the others from my trip know as they would love to hear your el altillo stories too. Best Wishes Anna Beber (annabeber@hotmail.com)
Travels Hi Anna
I have just returned from my travels - We made it all the way to Sherwood Forest! Had a fabulous time. Cant imagine it being cold and snowy. Your photos are absolutely fantastic, keep it up - lots of love Tans and crew.
WOW Anna, when you get done with your adventures, you MUST send me the high-quality picture of the lake (the pic entitled "Winter Wonderland in July" - it is stunning, I would love to have it as my desktop!
Glad its not just me and Kate getting cold! Hi Anna, lovely to see some photos! Was starting to get a bit jealous of English heat waves so good to see not everyone is warm! I'm off skiing in NZ South Island next week! Love Sarah xxx
Clear nights and Salsa days It's interesting to hear a world cup perspective of two other countries also competing! An American reading about a British traveller on Argentinian soil.
As far as the Bariloche landscape, the 2300 meter granite peaks, alpine lakes, ancient forests and glacial ice on Mt. Tronador 48 km away makes it nothing like any Lake District in any country!
After reading your blog I looked up the trees and found out the Arrayanes forests were an inspiration for the forests Walt Disney created in "Bambi"?
Hustle and Flow? Good to see hustling is alive and well in Argentina! I found your story of thievery very tragic! But, it also put a smile on my face thinking about how clever the people who did it were. Ive enjoyed following your blog but only wish for more pictures! :D
green with envy Anna, Thanks for including me on the email ilst for your diary. Great text and wonderful photos. makes me want to pack my bags and head for the airport. It must be a genuine first for anyone to rely on Zoe! Just don't expect her to be anywhere on time! - guess you know that already. Weather in UK is a heatwave (high 30's centigrade) so the Wimbledon grass is brown but the tennis spectacular. Mens final today - Federer vv Nadal - should be good. The Amelia Mauresmo won the ladies incase you hadn't heard. Hope you get some good trekiing in Chile. Say high and a big kiss to Zoe, in between her conversation with trees, it was lovely to get the photos of her. Tell her I'm sorry I wasn't in to receive her phone call but got her message. If she sends a phone number I'll ring her / you. Happy travels. Bob
Return of the prodigal daughter! So good to have the old Anna back - complete with photos! Thought we'd lost you a while ago but I see the dream is still alive and being well stoked by all the wonderful things you're seeing and doing. I would offer to join Zoe's commune but could she guarantee bananas and proper English tea? - you know I can't survive without them!! All love Mxxxxs
It is a lot more glamorous to be mugged in South America than in the middle of Leicester by some Burberry-bedecked moron! Looking forward to seeing you at my 40th birthday party on the 8th July. TIM
Blimey Hi Anna, I've just been catching up on your travel blog, I can barely believe it! There have been plenty of oohs, ahhhhs, oh my gods, no ways and Dan you just will not believe what has happened nows. I'm pleased to hear you are taking stuff in your stride now, however cruel some people can be. I cant find your email address but will text Karina and then send you a big smile from Sam - his cheeky chops brighten any day, but for now lots of love and big hugs from Tansy xx
Extreme unluck anna!
That's one thing loosing material things but then when you stand there with no photo memories... well I know the exact feeling! The way of thinking that help me in these sort of situations is; (though it's hard to create this thoughts in your mind... but...anyway)
"I've always learnt something new!" It truly makes it easier... for sure!
Take care and I hope it all will get sorted! Make sure that you won't become a regular at the brittish ambassy (as I was at the swedish one haha!)
Do you have a travel insurance?
Love from Therese xxxxxx
World Cup Anna, sounds lovely in Brazil! The world cup is going well for England so far (we'll see how they do today!), not so fortunate for us yanks - we blew it! Anyway, please say hi to Zoe for me (if it is the same Zoe that I am thinking of!), and stay happy! It's nice to read a happy blog from you again! Hugs, -Brian
Hi! Hi, I just came accross your blog.. your story if very familiar to me.. as the same thing happend to me! I'd love to chat to you about it.. so drop me and email when and if you get a chance... (and if u want ofcourse) (me_rossotti@yahoo.com)
travelling on Dearest Anna, we were so relieved to finally hear from you that you are OK. Guessed you ight be visiting Marcos - but didn't know. I am sure I speak for many of your friends in saying that I am glad you are continuing your travelling schedule. The main thing is to keep safe and well. And to all of you out there who supported Anna with helpful advice, thank you !!!
Anna, I hope you remember me from the ranch. Of courseI am not you, but do you remember me and Ricardo? Well, as much as I am still madly in love with him and wish everyday that I was near him, it's not the case. Very often when I was in Brazil with him, I used to think to myself that there was no real, rational future possible with him, and I knew that was my head talking. My heart was saying something else, as it always does. But life goes on. I have no idea whether I will see him again or not, but I live in the hope that I will. We still call each other. As for Marcos, well, only you are living what you are living and feeling what you are feeling. But you do need to sort it out, your heart and your head need to compromise and work together...somehow. But I can see that you have a world of supportive friends and a great dad. As everyone else, if I can help, don't hesitate. Take care. Adi xxxx
Always a pleasure... Oh dearest dad, how difficult it must be for you to read these things happening to your little girl! I will soon be a dad myself (in under 8 weeks!), and I can only imagine how it would make me feel hearing such events. You are right though - Anna has world-wide support, that is for sure. She knows where to find me or how to reach me if needed, and I am always around, and I am sure that goes for any number of our classmates...and you know what else? I am sure she is gonna pull through this just fine. She's a tough girl, she is. I have groomed her in my own image...:)
Friends international Anna, I know we have just spoken on the phone, but I wish I had read the Blog first - sorry. Just listen to Brian I know these New Yorkers - they mean business, and I'll be right behind him directing operations!!! You are so lucky to have such good international friends. I know how you are hurting but your head must win this battle. You have so much support albeit from a distance. Brian,(and Sue) if you read this comment thanks for your comments from Anna's Dad !! All my love , Daddy xxxs
Men! Anna, this is truly heartbreaking to read - it would be sad if it happened to anyone, but to a friend such as yourself it makes me quite angry...my gut instinct is, sadly, that these text messages you receieved are probably truthful. Why would some random woman lie to you like that? And to be fair, you havent known Marcos very long...I would be inclined to err on the side of caution, and cut him loose while you can. I understand the intense feelings you are having at the moment, and I hope it is lust disguised as love. I am glad you are otherwise well, and if I find out this guy stole your camera, I will send some of my NY connections to Mercedes to destroy him...you don't mess with a NY'ers friends. No siree. Stay well, Anna, and get up and meet Zoe!
Oh my god Anna! Hope you can remember me from the beginning of your stay (and the end of mine!!) on the big brother ranch!! Wow!!! I am very impressed that you stayed that long, don't know if you're stubborn or mad!! Anyway; I just wanted to say hi and stay in touch. What are your plans now? Let me know. Oh, and on my side of the world (Paris at the moment), all is well. Got back last week after having gone twice to Brazil to stay with Ricardo who I miss very much and am technically still with although not quite sure how to work that one...
Loads of hugs and kisses! Take care. Adi xxx
Hej Anna!
Glad to hear that you have finally left the place! You know... I all the time guess that it was Marcos... It's the first guy I thought of while you said that you had found a guy! =)
I will never be able to understand that couple of Ranch El Altillo... We definately have to make some kind of web page! This can't continue...
Take Care Anna and good luck with the spanish and all your travells! I'll promise that it will feel strange in the beggining after leaving the ranch! Me and ash aswell felt as if you had left prison or even worse then prison... maybe Ausschwitz or Treblinka (now we're talking).
Im in Mendoza now! less then two weeks left so im gonna try to do som trekking to the campo base of aconcagua if it's not too much snow! Visit som vineyards (since im a wee bit of a vino) and of course som horse riding (miss my fellows)
Looking forward to follow your diary n when it comes to M. Think about the good time you had together and save those memories... I know it's hard to leave things like that but... life...!
xxxx Tessan
Sure sounds more exciting than NZ! Hello! Although not sure quite how the word "holiday" has anything to do with your last few months its certainly made interesting reading!! Work here is similar but easier than home and at least there are more cows to see! You've definately done the best thing about the ex - if he can't understand why you're doing what you're doing then find someone who can! Glad you're sticking it out, need the final installment! Sarah xx
Well I'm off around the world for the next 12 months or so, starting in Argentina! Followed by Brazil, Venezuela and the whole of Central America. Most of the time I´ll just be boasting, and pitying the rest of you in the cold and wet, working away! Other times though I´ll be getting lonely ,so please keep in touch.... full info
Tim
non-member comment
Have I missed a couple of blogs? What children? Is there a shorter gestation period in the southern hemisphere?