We Need To Talk About Argentina
The benefit of hindsight, is that what I feel looking back at my first few days in Argentina? I was there to spend a season working as a riding guide on an Estancia in the Sierras Chicas. Those first few days all blur into a whirlwind of questions in broken Castellano and learning new names. I’ve always been good at hiding my fear with jokes but when you can barely put together a sentence in Spanish that becomes more difficult. If you had looked closely at my first meal in the Carneceria (our staff room) my hands were shaking as I ate spaghetti with a bony mystery meat stew.
I am a bad planner, this meant that my decision to go and work as a guide was a last minute one. I did very little research into the ‘guiding experience’ which meant I had no expectations going into this experience. Something I will always be glad of, I had nothing to compare it too, that place and those people will hold a place in my heart for a long time. That being said, it was hard. I imagine whenever you put fifteen people working together in closer quarters for a long period, it won’t be easy. Throw into the mix a strong cultural and language difference and things are bound to be interesting. Wikipedia defines the gaucho as ‘a skilled horseman, reputed to be brave and unruly’, having spent five months working alongside them I can confirm the ones I worked with were - for the most part - skilled horseman, undoubtably unruly and at times brave (unless you throw a toad into the mix and in that case they’ll run screaming). The boys I worked with were some of the funniest and kind people I’ve met.
The girls working in housekeeping and the chefs in the kitchen are some of the most patient people I know; they would consistently be around to have a chat or to help me with my Spanish tenses. I laughed so much in those 5 months, not only from the gauchos but from the other guides who I’m lucky enough to call my friends. When I am asked to explain my time at Los Pots I find myself lost for words to sum it all up, well I could try but would inevitably lead the listener to further question my sanity. It’s one of those things that only the others who were there can relate which is why I think we developed such strong friendships, could you call it trauma bonding? Maybe, but I’m grateful for an experience that taught me so much.
I don’t feel I have the words to describe that way of life, its not simple and not always fun. I hope that some of the images I captured whist there will do a better job at explaining. I couldn’t share all the photos I shot as I feel some of the magic needs to be kept for those who will be lucky enough to experience it for themselves. That and also to preserve all of our reputations and dignities.
This chapter of my life, although I was incredibly sad to leave the Estancia, taught me so much about the joys of life, about how lucky I am and about how important it is to experience a different culture in a way like this. It also solidifies my view that you shouldn’t plan everything, sometimes things don’t work out for a reason. This was one of those things.
To the team I worked with, thank you. Mostly for putting up with me, I’ve been told its not easy but I appreciate it, thank you for teaching me Spanish and for everything else. And for anyone even considering a trip to Argentina, go! You won’t regret it.
