Argentina

November 6-29, 2009

November 26: Gaucho Ranch and Tango Show

For today Christine had booked us a visit at the Don Silvano gaucho ranch for a "dia en el campo" - a day in the country. Unlike the Gaucho festival in San Antonio de Areco, this was a bit more geared towards the tourists and so the day was packed with activities for us and shows to demonstrate the Argentine gaucho culture.

We were greeted at the estancia with some light refreshments and then had the choice to do some horse back riding or go for a carriage ride around the grounds. To the children's delight, we ended up having time to do both. Afterwards there was still some extra time and the kids had fun at the playground and looking at the various animals. We could see and smell the meat being grilled on the big outdoor parilla and we were pretty hungry by the time they rang us for lunch and the dance show.

After lunch there was a presentation of the gaucho horse skills including using a leader horse to 'herd' the horses, horse races, and spearing a little ring hanging from a bar while riding a galloping horse. The presentation was followed by some mate and water with some millembre pastries.

It was pretty hot and we were pretty tired from today's activities so were going to call Christine to cancel tonight's tango show but the cell phone wasn't working (we felt like complete luddites until Christine later figured out that the service had been disconnected!). As it turned out, Christine had already paid for the tango show. So we tried to get the kids into bed before leaving but the kids weren't cooperating and we left her with 2 crying kids who didn't want to go to bed... sorry Christine!

A driver (Fernando) took us to the restaurant El Viejo Almacen where Christine had arranged for us to get the VIP treatment. We watched from the elevator as we went up several floors, the lighting getting dimmer and the tables getting fancier at each floor. We were treated to a dinner with a special vip empanada starter, an appetizer, a main course and a dessert (way too much food, especially after our earlier lunch at the gaucho ranch!). The poor waiter seemed to be having a hard time with these foreigners who only ordered pepsi and water for a meal where it was all you can drink booze included! *grin*

After the meal we were brought across the street to another building for the actual tango show. Not only did we see some awesome tango dancing, we were also treated to live music and singing and a band featuring pan flutes, drums and other indigenous instruments.

Thanks again Christine for organizing it all!