THE PAMPAS HOLIDAYS

The land that surrounds Buenos Aires is known as “the Pampas”.  Once inhabited by Gauchos, these flat plains were the grounds of vicious battles between natives and criollos – Gaucho descendants of Spanish conquistadores and aborigines (natives) of the Pampas.  Considered outcasts, they lived solitary lives.

Through their existence, Gauchos became experts (still are) at handling boleadoras, a 3 hard-rock leather ball tied to a rope that was used for hunting for the most part. They also developed a taste for music in spite of their rough life and manners and used their creative nature to challenge other gauchos at impromptu “Payadas”.

They would carry everywhere a particular type of knife called Facon and by living in the open in close contact with cattle they became used to eating beef cooked in an open fire. These are the first historical records of what later became one of Argentine’s favourite weekend pastimes: barbecuing meat.

Today the Pampas offers a glimpse into the history of Argentina.  Most estancias are still working ranches allowing you take part in the daily life and experience the Gaucho life first hand.