by admin | Nov 20, 2019 | La Pampa
How is the gaucho life
Martin Tatta, a real gaucho who lives a typical gaucho life, In San Antonio de Areco, a small city located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina.
The population of the city has a very country lifestyle, surrounded by horses, and gauchos.
There are still Gauchos today!, but we are going to talk about a “a countryman” Martin, he was raised in the countryside, with his family, the son of a gaucho from whom he inherited the “taste” for the countryside.
Current and real gaucho life
Since childhood he wanted to have a country life, with animals, but especially horses, this guy had a very special connection with the horses, he received his first horse when he was 6 years old.
His father was a gaucho, who had already had the pleasure of living a gaucho life but living a Gaucho life could be hard, far away from the city and hard jobs, however some people love and enjoy this lifestyle.
Gaucho life in Argentina
In Argentina there are many popular gauchos, this is a culture, Gauchos were usually mestizos (persons of mixed European and Indian ancestry), but some of them were white, black, or mulatto (of mixed black and white ancestry) gauchos are characterized by their “outfit”, very unique, and it is not easy to see in other places.
How is the gaucho life in the Estancia
They have a special way to dress, they work in the countryside and with cattle, but something really important to highlight is what they drink, Mate! A traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, today Argentinian people drink lot of mat, Mate invites people to join.
The mate
As Pedro Luis Barcia, (president of the National Academy of Education) says in an interview you have to “Matear” (drink mate) everywhere, “on the train, in the bus, on the beach, in the mountains, in the car and at the picnic”, for this reason Mate is so important for the gaucho culture.
When Martin was young he left school, his father told him that he should work and it helped him begin to deal with horses even more than before, Martin was raised in the countryside and all his life was dedicated to horses and his ranch.
As he clarifies in the interview made by Fernando Freixas, Martin was born in San Antonio de Areco, “he created a method of dressage and training based on trust”.
He is a good example to show to the people what’s like living a gaucho life, He wears a gaucho’s outfit, drinks mate, he lives in a house (kind of a ranch) in the middle of the field, Martin wants to keep the customs and traditions of his place, He feels very honored to live where he likes and do what he wants with horses.
Tasks in a gaucho life
Martin, before to be a horse whisperer, he used to be a horse tamer in his city, it was a sport, but when he found his quality with horses he left it and dedicated his time and passion to the horses until today, horses helped to Martin to travel all over the world to show his talent.
He does not imagine working on something else or away from the horses, He does not want to lose contact with his equines, even if he is older.
So, Martin, with his knowledge, relationship with horses, lifestyle and customs, he is really living a gaucho life.
Source: Somos Arraigo
Martin Tatta
Source: lanacion.com.ar
El mate, símbolo de unión.
Source: britannica.com
Gaucho, SOUTH AMERICAN HISTORY
Click here for a: Full Day tour Estancia near Buenos Aires with San Antonio de Areco Gaucho town visit
More about Gaucho culture: The Gaucho Experience
Full day tour Buenos Aires Estancia El Ombu de Areco with transfer
by admin | Jun 18, 2019 | La Pampa
Mate experience in an argentine Estancia
Mate experience in an argentine Estancia is THE traditional beverage of Argentina.
Five things you have to know about mate:
The mate for Argentines is national pride, an excuse to meet, a family habit that is inherited and accompanies all day. It is associated with the hospitality of rural people and gauchos.
It is the most social and preeminent infusion, it represents union and sharing, helps to socialize, facilitates the generation of bonds, lengthens the talk or promotes it.
From parents to children, for many parents it is a source of pride that their children start drinking mate. Children begin to take when they see adults, and see it as a game, they ask for it because it catches their attention. Young people incorporate the consumption of mate during the last years of high school and when entering the faculty.
Its consumption can occur in two ways with different meanings:
If the consumption is individual, it accompanies, it is a hobby, it entertains. When we are with friends, couple, family, invites to talk, to reflection, to debate.
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It is present throughout the day people with thermos under his arm and mate. During breakfast, late morning or during the snack at the afternoon.
Image of a Mate experience in an argentine Estancia
Partially extracted from the book: ¡Che Boludo! by James Bracken: Che Boludo Book :
For the Argentines, “los mates” are a fundamental part of life.
Mate is a strongly caffeinated tea drunk from a hollow gourd about the size of an apple.
The gourd is filled with the herb and hot water and then drunk through a metal straw (la bombilla) with a perforated end that allows the liquid to pass without the herb.
Although mates can be fashioned out of anything from wood to a bull´s horn and intricately ornated with silver and traditional carvings, a common gourd or small metal cup is more commonly used.
The mate gaucho ceremony
Upon first glance, a mate session can appear to be some sort of tribal drug ritual and some uninformed gringos have even been known to try to ignite and smoke the contents of the mate when passed their way.
buying the mate experience herb
Mate, like coffee or tea in most other countries, is consumed in the morning to help wake up as well as anytime of the day between friends who want to relax and speak frankly about matters.
It must first be made clear that mate is both the drink itself, as well as the gourd from which it is drunk.
The actual herb placed inside the mate is yerba.
Not hierba nor mate, but yerba. Yerba is grown in the warm and fertile provinces of Corrientes and Misiones in northern Argentina.
How is the procedure of a Mate experience in an argentine Estancia
Mate customs vary from person to person and place to place but some fundamental practices are important.
There is one server (cebador) who must take charge of serving the mates.
It is traditionally the chore of the youngest person present to serve the elders the mates.
The server must begin by heating the water in the kettle (pava) and filling the mate with an appropriate portion of yerba.
It is important that the water does not reach a boil.
Most experts agree that 82 C is optimal.
Once the water is properly heated the server will pour himself the first so as to be sure it is suitable for consumption.
Sometimes the server will spit out the first couple of sips as they tend to be quite bitter those first ones, also sometimes this action is taken like “returning back something to mother earth” according to very old believes.
how is the mate experience cup
Some servers will place a spoonful of sugar in the mate to curb the bitterness and sweeten the yerba; this depends on the persona tastes of those drinking the mates.
The mate is then passed from person to person:
Each person drinks the entire contents of the mate and passes it back to the server who refills the mate and passes it to the next.
You are not to say “gracias” until you do not want anymore mate.
After several rounds the yerba will become diluted or “washed” (lavado) and it will be necessary to change a portion (ensillar) or all of the yerba in the mate.
the mate gourd
mate herb packages at the supermarket
This mate infusion has its origins many hundreds of years when the Guarani Indians of the Mesopotamia area of Argentina start drinking it for its energizing properties.
Once the gauchos start being with the company of the mate drink daily and every day, they start developing procedures, ways of preparing, “ceremony” of the mate and etiquette.
How to have a Mate experience in an argentine Estancia
If you would like to be part of this preparation and ceremony in its original place, “Las Pampas” you can book this Tour Estancia Buenos Aires and San Antonio de Areco gaucho Town, here.
You will see the gauchos at the Estancia El Ombú de Areco in their break during the tasks of the ranch, slowly preparing the mate gourd and herb, then pouring small amounts of hot water into the container and then trying it with very short sips.
While in the Estancia you can have Mate tea every breakfast, during the morning, and specially during the late afternoon.
Also you can be supplied with the whole equipment to prepare your own mate, going on a horseback riding till near the river or in the middle of the “sea of grass” of the Pampas to sip your mate the most original way and place with the company of the gauchos of the Estancia.
You can specially plan to include this Mate and Full Day tour to Estancia and Pueblo gaucho San Antonio de Areco in the “Inspirock Trip Planner”
by admin | Aug 9, 2017 | Estancias Buenos Aires, La Pampa
This is the most authentic horseback riding Buenos Aires ranch tour , with real argentine cowboys (gauchos) going through the fields of the Estancia El ombu.
Historically, the gaucho, the saddle and horse, are inseparable companions that represent the life in the Pampas.
The horses:
At the Estancia there are almost seventy horses of the local argentine breed “Criollo”: very well known because of its longevity, intelligence and resistance.
Horses in the Pampas
They are very responsive in the horseback riding , bred on the estate, and trained by the local ranch gauchos .
The owner of the gaucho Estancia tour has been personally taking care of them for the last 22 years.
The amazing history of Gato and Mancha
Two of this breed rode the longest equestrian raid in history, when Gato and Mancha got to New York in 1928 after travelling 18,000 kilometres.
Gato and Mancha criollo horses
The ranch gauchos can choose for you the one that better suit your physical fitness and level of equitation skill: from beginner to Advanced ability levels in horseback riding in Buenos Aires ranch
The tack of the gauchos
The tack:
While in the horseback riding in Buenos Aires ranch almost all the tack it is a “gaucho of the pampas tack”, where there is no “seat” but it is one of the most comfortable saddle.
If you prefer there is also available some English tack as well.
Saddle of the gauchos
Groups at the horseback riding Buenos aires:
If your ability is from beginner to intermediate, you can join the standard group with some other people at the gaucho ranch.
If you consider yourself, being realistic about your ability, an advanced rider you will be provided a private ride in the ranch Buenos aires.
The gauchos style horseback ride
The trail:
According to your ability, you will walk, trot and canter while going the cross country in the fields of the gaucho ranch Buenos aires : grasslands, a marsh and crossing streams.
From your saddle you will have great views of the surroundings in the Estancia ranch near Buenos aires
There will be some ranch gauchos leading and guarding you while in the horseback riding in the whole Estancia trail.
Some riders in the Estancia
Length of the horseback riding buenos aires:
If you join the standard group, the horseback riding Buenos aires ranch tour will range from 30 to 40 minutes. And if you are an advanced rider, you can have an hour private horseback riding
If you book a private Real gauchos Tour Buenos Aires Areco Estancia ranch, you can choose to have two different one hour horseback rides
The fields for the horseback
The entire program of the horseback riding includes as well:
Transfer round trip from hotel Buenos Aires to gaucho town San Antonio de Areco and Estancia
Bilingual tour guide in town and Estancia. Tour guiding for about one hour and a half in gaucho town Areco
At the Buenos aires ranch Estancia El Ombu: empanadas, drinks, horseback riding , argentine asado lunch and gaucho folcloric music
Book your: Horseback ride near Buenos Aires Tour
For more information: Origins of gaucho criollo horse
Also in Spanish: Orígenes del caballo Criollo
by admin | Jun 30, 2017 | La Pampa
This is the most complete Responsible Gaucho Tour in the Pampas of Buenos Aires
– Get involved and connected with the origins of the Pampas and its Gauchos.
– Discover the oldest Argentine traditions in rural labors, social activities, local food, arts and handicrafts, and support the people who keep them alive.
Description:
– Only 90 minutes away from Buenos Aires City, you will find one of the prettiest towns in the Pampas: San Antonio de Areco . A 280-year-old historical town, known as the “Cradle of Gaucho’s Traditions”.
– Experience the culture, the way of life and the characters of the Argentine farmlands, in a town that is deeply proud of preserving their traditions.
– Meet the people who practice, teach and keep our original culture alive: they use horses daily, they manufacture native handicrafts and cultivate our authentic folklore music and dance.
– Help us support the main characters of this small town that, despite the issues of modern life, they preserve their original traditions with great devotion and commitment.
The Responsible Gaucho Tour
Activities of the Responsible Gaucho Tour Areco:
– Visit to a Community program Center
– Visit to the workshop of a native Artisan of silver and leather
– Visit to a 160-year-old gauchos´ bar (Pulpería)
– Talk at a gaucho painter’s atelier
– Lunch at a local typical restaurant
– Guided tour through historical neighborhood
– Visit to an old-fashioned self-sustaining gauchos´ farm
Visit to a local Association which promotes and give jobs opportunities to special people.
It´s an association where young and adult people with different abilities produce in a handmade way “alpargatas”: typical gaucho shoes used in the countryside… very casual and comfortable shoes!
This factory is the only working opportunity this people could have in the town
This is the place where they can find a shelter, learn a technique, earn their own money through their efforts/work, and also socialize practice sports, learn theater.
Activity: During the visit, group members will visit the atelier and see how people work and how people can be inserted into society being & feeling useful.
This alpargatas shoes are the version of “Toms” a success in USA: http://www.toms.com its creator was awarded by Hillary Clinton.
Why this Responsible Gaucho Tour is considered fair and sustainable? Because through purchasing local goods (alpargatas shoes) and / or supporting with donations group guests will be helping to keep the business alive and employees to preserve their jobs.
Also in the Responsible Gaucho Tour: Visit to a typical countryside ranch
We won´t be visiting a typical touristic ranch in the Responsible Gaucho Tour. Just the opposite, we will visit a small ranch which survives thanks to the few animals they have: some horses, cows, sheep, hens and turkeys, all of them are used for the family own consumption.
– We will visit a real family living at this ranch.
– Family will open their home/ranch for guests and will share them the way they live, and invite them with a full lunch in a rustic and simple way, just the way they live.
– Why this visit is considered fair and sustainable? Because through this visit guests will be helping this family / supporting them economically so this people can preserve the place where they live and keep their traditions alive. Guests will have an unforgettable experience in a really authentic ranch.
The Tourism Areco Association
Social Responsible Gaucho Tour Areco: Camino Pampa has been always supporting and nurturing the sustainability of San Antonio de Areco as a tourism destination, and its cultural heritage in many ways:
Features of sustainability:
– It is locally based
– All the guides are locals from this town
– Has developed the only sustainable tour in Areco
– We contribute and promote these San Antonio de Areco´s Institutions:
o Apropdis: Social Community Center
o Conin San Antonio de Areco
o Asoc. de Amigos del Parque Criollo y Museo Ricardo Güiraldes
o Biblioteca Manuel Belgrano
o Asociación de Turismo de San Antonio de Areco
Apropdis
Conin San Antonio de Areco
If you would like to join us in this experience: Real Gaucho Tour contact
Some articles about Gaucho culture in Spanish: http://gauchoexperience.com/
by admin | May 19, 2017 | Traditions
Tailored Cultural Tour Gauchos including the cultural and arts legacy of Gauchos and Criollos beautifully preserved since the colonial times in this area of the Pampa of Argentina: in towns and Estancias.
Pintor Miguelangel Gasparini in his Atelier
San Antonio de Areco is a community that nested generation after generation the knowledge and spirit of the handicrafters that mixed the immigrants artisanal skills with the roots and environment of the native locals.
Gaucho style Pottery pieces
Quite unique workshops filled with basic and old devices and tools, where the experienced artisans turn used and new materials into old fashion pieces of work.
The program:
– 8:20am hotel/address pick up in Buenos Aires
– 10:00am arrival to San Antonio de Areco: Guided tour visiting a Creole Silversmith´s Workshop. handmade Pottery and painting demonstration. Textile studio: Natural dye of wool and hand woven indian style textile pieces in working looms. Chocolate and “alfajores” artisanal factory. Locally handmade cheeses and sausages shop.
– 1:30pm lunch in typical local parrilla (steakhouse)
– 3:00pm walking tour in the colonial historical neighborhood: Main square, San Antonio´s church, 100 years old gauchos´ bars.
– 4:00pm departure from San Antonio de Areco gaucho town, return to Buenos Aires
– Approx. 6:00pm arrival to Buenos Aires
Old gaucho bar in the Cultural Tour Gauchos
This cultural gauchos tour includes:
– Round trip with hotel/address pick-up in vehicle with official license and special insurance
– All the activities, tickets and transfers within the town
– Bilingual local guide
– Lunch
– Horseback ride
Gaucho Museum
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More on gaucho culture in Spanish: Gaucho culture in Spanish
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Everyday Full Day Cultural Tour Gauchos departing from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco (can also include visit to an Estancia)
