Estancia... well kinda

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This was something Rach really wanted to do and had hoped to drive out into the Pampas to see gaucho country firsthand, but we have changed our itinerary a million times since getting here and it doesn't look like we'll have time, so we decided to do it the most touristy way possible, ie by bus tour! The bus left our hostel at 9am and arrived at Santa Susana Ranch about two hours later. This is not a working ranch as there was not a cow in sight, but we had wine, parilla, a gaucho show with tango and impressive gaucho tapdancing (involving slouchy cowboy boots and tapping the rhythm with a drum and those weapons the have made of leather strings with leather-covered stones at the end). There were gaucho races and horse games and we got to ride the horses in a circle around a muddy field for about 30 minutes (about what I expected) but I discovered that the saddles are way more comfortable than Western ones even with no horn to hold on to (although we didn't do anything faster than a walk so I don't know how I would have held on!) I thought it was a great day and Chuck went crazy with his new camera, but he may say differently? Very cheesy and touristy but I'm glad we did it!

I'm also glad we did it I guess but I really had hoped for a real ranch/estancia. I think the wine and food saved it. I did enjoy taking pics of the birds and horses though I couldn't for the life of me catch a humingbird. I tried for like an hour wandering around and waiting at sets of flowers with no luck. Anyway live and learn.

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Photos

Horse bone chair
Hmmmm this might look good with our longhorns!

Parilla
Chorizo, Pollo, and Steak

The Pampas
Big Sky Country, Argentina style

Horse and Buggy
We chose to ride our own horses although this might have been more enjoyable!

Bird on a Hot Tin Roof
I think he was eyeing our parilla!

Whee horseback riding
My mount was a bit of a tailgater and liked to hang at the back of the herd

Paparrazi shot of Chuck on his horse
Quick shot I was able to take before the grouchy gaucho yelled at me to hold on to the reins and not the camera "Chica! Camera!"

Lots of wine make parilla even better...
But then we had to siesta on the bus!

Kissing the ring and gaucho for luck
One of the races involved putting a stick through a suspended ring at a gallop and I got to keep my ring!

Comments

[Jen]

nice pics
looks like your new camera is working out ok! The Pampas and the wine bottle are awesome. keep'em coming, ...jen

[Kathleen]

Wild West
The pictures are great! I really like the Wild West one of the horses running. What a great shot! Sounds like you guys are having an amazing time so far. I'm sure it will continue. Looks like the weather is beautiful! We had a very light dusting of snow overnight but thankfully it is mostly gone already. Your loving sis :)

[ML]

It looks to me like the dogs would really enjoy chewing on a bone chair. Charles this brings back memories of your horrible horse back ride in Banff. What memories. Morgan and Mak are ass to ass on the couch and say Hi to both of you. Love,ML

[Kat]

Making out
OMG Rach you're like totally making out with that cowboy. Awesome. i'm glad you guys are still alive. love kat.

[mary lee]

Hi
I have a question for you two. When we go outdoors Mak sits on the cold ground - do dogs get haemorrhoids? We will be off for our walk soon. It is cold and cloudy here today and am sure that the weather there is much better. Take care, Love ML

[ML]

Rio De Janeiro
Okay please forgive the spelling. Mak was listening to the news and it announced that the biggest Christmas tree in the world is in Rio de Janeiro. Thought it might be interesting to see if you are anywhere nearby. Take care. Love, ML

[ML]

Hi
I had a lovely time with Mak. He is such a lovely dog. I think he is very intelligent and I wished I could provide more stimulation for him. I think he would be very easily trained to do those animal sporting events. Anyway I really enjoyed having the time with him. I was ready to shoot Morgan last night as she was up twice after we went to bed. Hope your trip is going well. Hugs to Rach, Love,ML

[Anna and Ian]

Hey guys!! We've been following your blog and the places you have gone to so far look pretty amazing...nice and sunny and warm...well..different story here...we had our first snow storm of 20cm yesterday and it sucks, so make sure to soak up some sun for us!! Can't wait to see more photos and posts!! Taked care!! xxoo

[Kat]

good news or bad news?
i check your blog every day. not because it is the most awesome blog evar but because i need to see if you've updated it since DECEMBER 3!!!! if you update it i know you are still alive. until then i will imagine your holiday and pray to the universe that you have not fallen off of something very big. love you kat

[Kemptville Harrisons]

Season's Greetings
Hi Charles and Rachel, Merry Christmas to both of you. Hope all is well and that you are enjoying the wonderful lives of tourists. love, Gerry, Teresa, Dan, Rod, Pat, Jessie and Zeus.