We traveled about an hour outside of Buenos Aires to the Don Silvano Ranch. I’m not sure what I enjoyed the most about this sunny day, was it the familiar smell of a farm that brought back childhood memories? Could it of been the traditional Argentinean food and dance? Maybe it was just the pure entertainment of spending time with my dear Dutch friends (turns out there aren’t many horses in Amsterdam!).
A horse ride around the farm. Funny side note: Denise was the only one of us that didn’t have experience on a horse and of course she got the one that refused to move. The entire group was well on our way and when I looked back, there she was… sitting still on a animal that clearly had no intentions on budging… Hilarious!
The first picture is of a photo that I didn’t feel the need to purchase and try to carry with me throughout my travels.
These two pics remind me of my Papa (pronounced “Pa-paw) in Oklahoma.
A nice walk before the lunch bell…seriously, an old school bell was our signal to eat… Love it!
Denise is in the middle followed by Ioni or otherwise named by the locals as “Shakira, Shakira!”
…and as she fluffs her hair, I quote her (to be said in a serious but positive tone of voice): “I don’t belong on a farm… I’m a Diva”.
Almost lunch time!
The bell rings and we head in for food, drink and an incredible show.
This man can sing! He was extremely entertaining and led the show.
This duo showed us a variety of traditional dances. Some of the shots are blurry due to my lack of a fancy camera and the speed at which this pair was moving. You get the idea though, it was amazing!
After dinner, we got to observe a demonstration of gaucho traditions. No animals were harmed in the performance.
Back in the old times, there would be two rings hanging from a wide wooden arch. Each ring represented the desire for a specific lady of the town. They would then race full speed at the arch with a tiny spear about the size of a pencil. While standing in the stirrups, they would attempt to pierce through the middle of the ring. Whoever did it first and successfully, got to take it directly to the woman he wanted and ask for her hand. If she accepted it was welcomed with a kiss.
Guess who got the ring?!
Desert and Mate tea before the bus ride home… What a blast this day was! I’m not one for the “guided tours”, but this was well worth it!
Her Happy Trails 
Your friends from the Netherlands are very pretty! I met a couple of young women from the Netherlands six years ago. They’re nieces-inlaw of a college friend. I was amazed at how fluent they were in English–puts us to shame with our lack of foreign linguistic skills. Also remember that marriage seemed to be the exception rather than the rule there–not unusual for couples to live together and have children for many years before considering marriage.
Love the hand stand! keep it up. Maybe you could make the guiness book with “Hand Stands” around the world!