Escaping the City
As amazing as Buenos Aires is, there are times where one needs to escape the bustling city. Luckily, you do not need to go far to experience a completely different world. One only needs to travel about 113km (70miles) outside Capital Federal to visit the San Antonio de Areco Estancia (Spanish word for ranch). Estancias show the history and the essence of Argentine culture. Their gauchos (ranch workers on horseback) are of similar importance to national folklore and identity as the cowboy in North America. Take a day trip to an estancia and enjoy different activities which show gaucho customs such as horseback riding, singing/dancing and most important eating!
Right now is the best time to go as there is a Gaucho Festival during the first ten days of November. In a tradition running more than 70 years gauchos from all over Argentina come for this Fiesta de la Tradición. There are activities all week but the main attraction is Sunday’s jineteada gaucha. With its origins in the heart of traditional Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, the jineteada is basically the Southern Hemisphere’s take on the rodeo. Those lucky enough to have been there this past Sunday (October 7th) witnessed the crème de la crème of the gaucho world compete. On Wednesday, November 10th, the festival’s closing day, all the gauchos gathered for a bonfire to celebrate the Día de la Tradición, eulogizing the life of writer José Hernández, famous for his epic gauchesque poem, Martín Fierro.
To see other ideas for trips outside of Buenos Aires check out the Elebaires Student Life page!
