The Gaucho
Written by lolitajane on November 28, 2002.
For many people, the word gaucho means orphan and not
without reason as its origins come from two civilizations (the European
and the Indian). Possibly the first gauchos were people who broke
their ties with the past and went to the loneliness of the great
Pampa were there was water and grass for the cows introduced by
the European colonists to graze. Only one hour from Buenos Aires
the traveller will be able to learn about the tasks in the Argentinean
countryside, the life of the gaucho and his incredible skill with
the "boleadoras" (three stones tied together with a rope
which, when thrown, tangle with the legs of the cows and immobilize
them), the knife, the lasso and the use of the correct techniques
for salting the best meat in the world. Dressed with baggy knee
length trousers, sombrero or beret, handkerchief round the neck,
spurs and a sharp knife hanging from his belt (which on holidays
is changed for a hanging money belt for silver coins) they skilfully
ride through the ranches and the prairies. By the light of a campfire
and with a delicious roast they sing their songs.
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