The Gauchos of Estancia La Fortuna, Argentina

Our Antarctic cruise started and ended in Buenos Aires, Argentina so we decided to take an end of cruise excursion to the Estancia La Fortuna, a working cattle ranch west of the capital city. After a hour bus ride our tour of 50 arrived at the ranch headquarters, a beautiful French villa. We were greeted by the owner. He introduced his gauchos who would entertain us that morning. It began with a game they play on horseback called La Sortila.

La Sortija" (the ring) is played with two upright wooden posts about ten feet high, crossed by a beam ... In the middle of this cross-beam, and underneath loosely suspended a brass ring. A Gaucho, galloping at the fastest beneath this, and using a wooden dowel attempts to put the ring on his dowel all the while on horseback and riding as fast as possible. The younger gauchos could not compete with the older gaucho and he won the game. He rode over to my wife and gave her the brass ring. I think it was because she spoke fluent Spanish and connected with them.
During the morning show of horsemanship, the ranch cook was busy cooking. Argentinians are meat eaters, they love anything roasted. Remember this guy is cooking for 50-60 people.

La Fortuna French villa

Estancia La Fortuna The Story Behind the Photo: Estancia La Fortuna At the end of our Antarctica cruise in March of 2008 we had a choice of waiting 13 hrs in the airport or going on a Princess excursion to a working Pampa’s ranch named Estancia La Fortunia. It was about 200 km from Buenos Aires so it was about a 3 hour drive by bus. The tour promised an Argentinean lunch to boot. There were about 80 of us that took the tour. We arrived at the ranch around 9:30 and we were met by the owners. They were warm and gracious and very proud of their estate. They introduced us to the dozen gauchos who would entertain us for the next four hours. Guests were given the option of riding a horse or taking a ride in two horse buggy driven by one of the gauchos. MA chose to ride a horse, however, I chose to grab my Nikon and put my 70-200mm lens on for the day. The gauchos seemed to relish having their photo taken by me. These South American cowboys are excellent horsemen. They ride an Argentinian breed called a Creole, similar to our quarter horse. It is short legged and wide bodied. Gauchos dress for the job of handling cattle on the Pampa. The gaucho typically wears baggy pants which allows them to mount and dismount quickly. The pants are topped with normally a wide leather belt. Some belts have coins for decoration. He carries a knife in a sheath stuck in the middle of his back. The knife was used to butcher cattle on the pampa. Beef is the main food staple of the Pampa gauchos. I noticed a large bonfire and open racks of meat. The cooks had started roasting enough beef, pork, chicken to feed the lot of us. I was getting hungry smelling the roasting meats. Before lunch we were treated to the gaucho game of “Sortija.” Sortija is a gaucho game that consists of a metal ring which is placed high on an arch suspended with a string. The object of the game is to spear the ring with a wooden dowel (see above photo) all which galloping on horseback as fast as possible. The game takes great horse skills as well as a steady arm and sharp eyesight. The reward is always a kiss from the girl he chooses among the spectators. The oldest gaucho beat all of the younger ones and he rode over to where my wife was sitting and gave her the ring. She kissed him on the cheek. I think my wife’s excellent Spanish had something to do with him choosing her. At lunch we were treated to as much as we could eat. The beef ribs were out of sight as well as the steak. There were all kinds of vegetables to go with the meats. After lunch we were treated to music and an Argentinean dance group and music of Argentina. The bus ride took us right to the airport and we boarded our plane on time for the 12 hr flight back to Houston.