Gaucho Cattle Round Up On The Pampas Around Estancia La Margarita

Cattle Round Up 

Many moons ago when I started to live in Argentina I was speaking to one of my friends on the phone who lived in England. At the time I was living in the city of Buenos Aires since it was pre- Margarita days he asked me what it was like here in the city . I said well Buenos Aires was like living in how London must have been 200 hundred years ago. I said that the streets were mostly dirt roads and that there were a lot of gauchos on horses. Knowing that his general knowledge of the world wasn’t that good I continued the joke for a little while longer until I eventually told him that Buenos Aires was a huge vibrant bustling city full of cars, concrete roads and not a gaucho on a horse in sight.

However, drive a few hundred kilometers outside of Buenos Aires and everything changes. Arriving in the gorgeous Argentina pampas the horse is king as is the gaucho and although main routes are paved the rest are dirt roads. Being here in the pampas is like being in an area where time has stood still. The Aussies and Americans use 4x4 quad bikes to get around on their wide-open spaces – not so here the horse is the method to get around on the huge estancias and the gaucho is king with not a quad bike in sight.

For me there are not many more beautiful sights than to see the gauchos in full force rounding up the cows on the famous Argentina pampas. When my friends, film makers Brian and Gaynor were here they   shot a video of a round up on La Margarita and showed me the results  - I thought it looked fantastic and needed sharing.  For me it’s a wonderful piece of filmmaking and really captures what’s its like in and around La Margarita through the eyes of the gauchos as they go about rounding up the cattle.

We have just uploaded the short video onto YouTube and I think it looks fantastic – it captures what the gaucho and the pampas is all about here on La Margarita. Have a look at the video and see for yourself  - if you love horse riding you will be in for a treat I promise.

Gauchos rounding up cattle on the estancia

This is David Cummings alias the English Gaucho hasta pronto. 

Ever Wondered What it Would be Like to Work as a Volunteer on an Estancia Like La Margarita?

Geraldine helping one of our young guests  feed an  orphaned lamb

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to work as a volunteer on Estancia La Margarita have a read of our latest volunteer 28 year old   Geraldine’s experience on our estancia. She has been working on La Margarita for the past three months and leaves quite soon to return to her homeland of France to see her parents. I asked her to write about her experience to give those of you thinking of doing this type of work a good idea of what you life would be like here. I haven’t changed a word of her blog and I hope that it is informative and that you enjoy it…….

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My feelings as a volunteer working in an estancia in Argentina:

Involved in the daily activities of the estancia, I will try to communicate at best my impressions as regards La Margarita, added with few thoughts concerning the amazing country of Argentina. I hope you will have a pleasant time to read this brief description; discover or know better this country and the kind heart people who make this place warmth and where it is good to live simply.

As told you previously, I decided to learn Spanish and having a concrete experience was essential for me. A long time ago, younger, I said: one day, I will work as a volunteer in a farm for riding horses either in the USA in ranches or in Argentina with the gauchos!

Coming from a French region where farms are the main part of the sceneries, far away from big cities, subways or communication means, I was aware of the situation and what I could encounter. By considering France, it could appear that certain regions still do not possess an Internet connection, it is obvious that in Argentina, some issues could happen.

Consequently, going to the Margarita was not a problem. The only difference is Spanish, which is finally a detail now compare to what I receive in exchange! If you want to, allow Argentina coming to you and she will take you by the hand, open the doors of her world and demonstrate her best side. 

You can’t imagine the things I can do here beside the missions and activities attributed. The curiosity joining with an opened mind is a useful asset helping you to across the language or culture barrier. Come on! Jump the barrier and you will be received with opened arms!

I learn how to use the Argentinian saddle with all of those long pieces of leather,

using the horse to regroup cows or horses during cold and foggy mornings, galloping against the wind, watch birds species or admire the new born calf, like a real gaucho! And, my God! What such thick Spanish accent here!

I meet people coming from all around the world, they animate the table during the dinnertime with their own and unique story and it’s so good! The traditional food reminds you how it’s pleasant to enjoy you life and take the time for important things, often forgotten in this fast world.

The people who make this estancia alive make you realize that simplicity and authenticity are the basements of happiness. I love them!

This actual experience is a present. For all of that, thank you Argentina!

Geraldine

This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hope you enjoyed Geraldine’s  blog about her stay on La Margarita as our volunteer

Hasta pronto 

News Flash - Date Change and Lonely Planet listing

 La Margarita   - a place to de stress

In my previous blog I mentioned that La Margarita had  been chosen as the film location for the Argentine film "Salome y el Forastero" ( Salome and the Forester ) . The date has now been put back to start on 24th of September so please make a note of the new date if  you were thinking of visiting us to watch the filming of  gaucho film.


Lonely Planet 
Also I am really proud to say that La Margarita  have been listed in the new edition  of Lonely Planet /Buenos Aires   which has just hit the book stalls. I would like to say a big thank you  to those of you who helped us spread the word about this wonderful location.  As I  mentioned in my blog I  wrote when I  found out that we had been  listed in  Rough Guide this year  I promise we won't change a  thing - we will not turn into a disney estancia and  it will be business  as normal and we really look forward to seeing you on La Margarita so you can see what a great location it is to enjoy the  gaucho life for a few days
This is David Cummings alias The English Gaucho hasta la vista