John Christ '11
As I sat, eating my eggs at the breakfast table, I was bombarded with glares of contemplation and confusion...I was eating EGGS in the MORNING! The people of Argentina, including my host family, eat their eggs for dinner.
Suddenly, it was time to go. Andrea, my host mother, hurried to grab her mate (traditional tea of Argentina) cup and get out the door.
We had a 45 miunute drive ahead of us. With the sun on the ascent, we drove down the freeway at speeds I am not comfortable with my mom knowing. After getting lost once, we finnaly arrvied at el campo.
I was greeted with the smell of cowpies and dust, and i suddenly felt very at home. I ran to find the entrance of the corral to get closer to the action.
What action, right?
The Argentinan Cowboys (Los Gauchos) were in the process of branding and castrating the bulls that numbered in the 40´s.
Filled with amazment and anticipation i plunged into the arena. First thing i see- an angry brown/white bull running franticly around me. One of the men asked if i wanted to mark a cow, and i just couldnt say no.
The smell of burning cow hide and hot blood penetrated my senses.
Though branding 3 cows that day made me feel so very manly, i soon learned in more depth about what and who a true Gaucho really is.
As we all gathered and sat around the sound of the guitar, I learned of the traditions of the cowboys through song.
A verse from an old Gaucho narrative reads as follows...
Los hermanos sean unidos
Porque esa es la ley primera...
This translates roughly to a meaning of...
Brothers must stay together
Becasue this is the first law [of a Gaucho]...
When i heard this I found it to have a lot of meaning. I had woken up that morning feeling alittle out of place in this culture and life style. I felt as if my culture and the culture of Argentina differed so much before I heard this.
We listen to different music, eat different foods at differnet times of day, we drive differntly but we are the same in the end. I felt a connection with the people of el campo. This feeling stood out to me. The feeling of brotherhood and friendship among strangers is like nothing else.
I left that day very full and satisfied. On the ride home, I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what we eat in the morning or at night, or how fast we drive. What really matters is what we, as humans, share.
John Christ '11
John and all our Brophy boys (and Mr. Damaso and Ms. Steffens!),
It is so wonderful reading all your blogs about the fun and interesting adventures you are having during your time in Argentina. I am most moved by your experience of slowing down a bit, reveling in "simple" joys, and growing in appreciation for time spent with family, friends and strangers in conversation or just hanging out together. Your pictures help place you in a community many of us will only ever come to know through your stories. Thank you for sharing with us. I look forward to hearing and seeing more upon your return. Enjoy your time, serve through the ministry of presence and soak up every sound, sight, smell and taste of Argentina. It will help the experience extend beyond your return to Arizona.
Thinking of you all and keeping you in my prayers, Mrs. Baldwin
John,
Interesting observations. Things that we do here people there may think strange. However, eggs are a breakfast food as far as I'm concerend.
I've been to a "cutting party" here in Arizona. Think of that as a party during the same time as castrating and branding. They really weren't my thing. Looking at the animals as they go through that does not give one a pleasant feeling. This is one of those things that is "out of sight, out of mind." I'm glad you were able to experirence it.
Keep us posted, and I hope you are having a good time.
-Mr. Kolb
To my fellow Brophy men:
It is so amazing to see what incredible adventures you are all up to at such young ages. I was part of the first...and sadly....only class of Brophy students to live in Sucre, Bolivia in 2002. The eight of us hosted 9 students from Sagrado Corazon School and then lived with them for 5 weeks and even made a trip to Machu Picchu to cap it off. The memories and experiences from that trip have caused me to constantly seek new opportunities to learn and live abroad. I returned to South America for a semester is Valparaiso, Chile in 2008 and during that time returned to my home away from home, Sucre. The reconnections after 6 years with my familia there and seeing familiar faces once again was so fulfilling. I encourage all of you to continue making the most out of your time in Argentina and seek opportunities to continue to nurture the ties you create for far into the future. And please do not stop travelling and experiencing the world and all of the amazing people and places in it.
Tommy Lavelle '04
-Currently writing from Bangkok, Thailand (still bitten by the travel bug)