Weekend away from the big city

The tour started at 12:00 on Friday, when we were picked up in a minibus. Transportation to and from the ranch was arranged by our contact there, and all we had to do was show up and pay.

The drive there took about four hours, including a break to use the restroom and buy some food. We had shopped for the groceries we needed for the weekend in advance.

When we arrived, we were greeted by about seven dogs, a flock of chickens, two horses, a limping cat, and Mariam, our contact person.

The first thing that happened was that we were given a tour around their magnificent property. The farm consisted of three houses, a stable, and a couple of other farm buildings.

One of the houses was at our disposal for ourselves, where six people slept (two in the living room, mind you), and there was a bathroom and kitchen. Simply furnished, but it worked! The last four slept in another house, where there was also a bathroom.

Behind the house there was a stable with horses, because on this ranch they were involved in training horses. In front of the houses there was a large lawn where the dogs, chickens, and a couple of horses roamed freely, and there was a large dining table.

Here we consumed our first meal: homemade ravioli with tomato sauce, served by Mariam. She had also baked an amazingly good bread – luxury! It was a bit chilly outside, at least for someone who gets cold easily like me, so after dinner we went inside our house to talk and have entertainment.

We had beforehand divided into three groups, where all the groups were responsible for creating one or more entertainment acts for the weekend. Some were carried out on Friday and some on Saturday. For example, there were activities like yellow bowl, rap, murder mystery, and Beat for Beat.

The next day began with a calm morning. Everyone brought their own breakfast, and ate a little when they got up and it suited each individual. Later in the morning, everyone jumped into the cargo bed of Mariam's blue pickup, and she and her daughter (and a dog, of course), drove us into Rojas, the nearest town.

Here we wandered around, drank coffee and ate cakes at a café. The contrast from Buenos Aires is huge, this was a quiet small town with little activity in the streets, little traffic and low houses – more similar to a Norwegian small town!

The rest of the day was spent doing whatever one wished. A group was in charge of making dinner, and spent a few hours on it.

There was gyros on the menu, and it turned out great. The others sat for a long time talking with Mariam and her daughter, and drank mate together with them. After dinner, it was time for the rest of the entertainment.

After breakfast on Sunday, we jumped back onto the bed of the pickup truck, this time with Mariam's partner. He took us to a nearby river, where we got to meet some fishermen, and he told us a bit about the local flora and fauna.

Afterwards, we went corn raiding in a field. Our driver grinned and replied, "Yes, it is illegal!" when we asked if we were going on a real corn raid.

We jumped over a fence and found ourselves a corn each to put on the grill later. After this criminal act, there was a small group that went for a jog, while the others relaxed before dinner.

Back home, we were greeted with a fabulous asado prepared by Mariam and her husband. On the table, there were empanadas, chimichurri, tomato chutney, salad, bread, grilled corn, two different kinds of meat, grilled peppers stuffed with cheese, and of course – red wine and Fernet.

After the asado, those who wished could go horseback riding, with the help of Mariam's daughter. Unfortunately, in the end, it was time to get on the minibus back to Buenos Aires – a bit more rested than when we arrived!

It's a weekend trip that I highly recommend!