Schnecken on the run

In the north of Argentina and close to the border of Bolivia, Salta´s landscape was ideal for a horseriding excursion.  I´ve yet to convince Mr. Becker of trying on the cowboy boots and „cowboyING UP!“ on a black stallion.  As for me, I’ve been „half“ bucked off horses over and over and so I know that I´m nothing less than graceful on these magical beasts, but I do know that I can hold on for the ride!  The SAYTA horseriding company arrived @ 9 am to pick up myself and another couple, Dave and Claire.  We got cozy in the jeep and grooved our way thru the urban developments headed for the land of the glorious GAUCHOS…the lone-cowboy-like figures of Argentina.  Once out at the ranch, we were suited up with the necessities…extremely stylish chaps!  Lacking a cowgirl hat and boots, I sported my hiking boots, knock-off RayBans and Fruit Loops t-shirt for the 30 degree weather and 3 hour ride on a horse.  Claire´s secret was soon out; she must haved phoned the ranch before hand to confirm the color of hair on her horse, because she was a perfect horse woman right down to the matching clothes and her natural riding style.

His name was something like NACHO-but more like KACHO?  He was everything a girl could dream of…and he never raced back to the barn for oats when we were on the homestretch, like all the others in my past.  I really loved him!  We jaunted thru the country roads amongst many tabacco fields and typical farm houses.  These well-trained horses didn´t flich an inch when the big, tough farm dogs repetitively chased us down, barking and practically nipping @ their ankles.  Calm, cool & collected….but after only one hour, it was heating up!  Our half Italian, half Argentinian guide, Franco, was a true GAUCHO—not a „cowboy“ as he clarified with sign language & spangLISH to us.

After more fun in the sun, more fields and brillliant views of the Andes, Franco spat out some spanish and all I heard was some jazz about GALLOPING.  „Si, Si“-we all answered with shaky nerves.  Of course Franco quickly pointed to me—my # was up, I was FIRST to cowboy UP!

„ARRRRRIBA!“ yelled Franco as he whipped Nacho/Kacho on the ass and we were off to the races.  On a gravel road-zigzagging and clearily out of control; my arms flailing and my whole body stiff and awkward as I was obviously not finding any smooth moves to match my horse.  Instead of being one with Nacho/Kacho, I fought his galloop and quickly decided that I better lightly pull the reins and stop him before I eat gravel for lunch.  I realized in this moment, that I am NO COWGIRL just because I come from Alberta and eat AAA alberta beef.

I assume mastering gallooping comes with practise and I´ve heard that it should be a relatively smooth ride.

So we stuck to a slow walk after the gallooping assignment…ending @ the ranch safe and sound with wine awaiting us.  The horses were sweating buckets & so were we.  It was a totally fun 3 hrs, which I remembered for the following 2 days everytime I put on my jeans…ouch,ouch,ouch!  (Claire had the same lovely souvenirs)

As I glanced into the hills and fields for the last time and took a few bold-legged steps towards the vino; victory took over!  We did it… me and  Nacho/Kacho…we were buddies, we perservered, we almost galloped together, we sweat together…we were the real argentinean amigos!!

After a few fine days in Salta, we took a night bus to Cordoba-the 2nd biggest city in Argentina.  I had heard that MANU CHAU would be playing, so without any difficulty we quickly bought tickets and our 1st concert in Argentina will never be forgotten.  From the 1st to the last song, these fans grooved-on in a complete loving bliss.  A „personal space“ rule does not exist in a place like this-we were standing on the floor and with the first strum of the guitar, we were moshing and swaying with full, FULL body contact with our neighbours.  There was quickly a haze from the 98 percentage of users which were blazing-up 7 leaf clovers all around us.

The fans were full of energy and it was a great RAW & REAL feeling to be in Cordoba with them and experiencing MANU CHAU live.  Just to give more energy and good vibes to MANU, some fans threw one shoe towards the stage…no,no, it is not bras and panties here, but one shoe..cinderella style!!  Shortly after seeing the shoes being tossed, we had to dodge some flying beer.  As we were standing on the floor , fans were bombarding us with beer bombs.  The plastic glasses were sometimes full or at least ½ full.  I found these interesting acts of homage and sacrifice to MANU a total waste of pesos.  Each big beer was 20 pesos; equivalent to $6 ..not cheap!!.  We were beer soaked, lungs full of forced GAGA air (we didn´t inhale) and then the SHIRTS started coming off!!  Thommy had most likely hoped that the women would follow suit…but they didn´t.  And if they would have, Thommy would have been to distraught to notice.  We were engulfed with skin-on-skin contact, beer juice all over us and heaps of hairy backs sweating and gyrating on us!!! YIKES YIKES YIKES…ICKY!!  It was 100% cultural and that is exactly why we are here.  It was fun, absolute fun and the all-inclusive experience was only 13€.  MANU CHAU is a little guy making big hits and he is adored here in Argentina.  I am sure the same goes for the rest of South America and I know we liked him before the concert and now when we hear his hits, we can always reflect on the CLOSENESS and LOVE in the air at his concert in Cordoba!!

„Momma was king of the congo, Papa was king of the bongo“….do I have that correct?