No one should visit Argentina without a side trip to a Gaucho Ranch.  These South American cowboys have a unique approach to their work, but they also share characteristics with the North American cowboys, like an elaborate cinematic treatment.

The gauchos dress in baggy trousers (bombacha), with a leather rastra (belt) around his waist often decorated with coins, and has a sharp facón (knife) in his rastra.

They are known for their support of the cattle and horses that populate the rich pastures of the Pampas (prairie).  They are known for overcoming nature's difficulties, having a strong and energetic character, and being independent.

Our visit was to the Santa Susana Estancia (ranch) that was one of the available excursions from Buenos Aires.  It included horse and wagon rides, a wonderful lunch, and a dance show followed by the gauchos putting on a demonstration.

ANGR0001 (The entrance to Santa Susana)		ANGR0091 (The main ranch house is now a family museum presenting the estancia's history)
ANGR0005 (Steak, chicken and sausages were on the menu for lunch)		ANGR0010 (The wagons await riders)
ANGR0012 (This water pump was a favorite photo)		ANGR0014 (Our wagon driver with a gaucho salute)
ANGR0025 (The gaucho belt and knife)		ANGR0041 (A photo of a photo of two young gauchos)
ANGR0043 (The bar in the main dining/show room was ready for anything)		ANGR0044 (A close up of the belt of what seemed to be the head gaucho)
ANGR0047 (At a family ranch, this may be grandpa and granddaughter doing the tango)		ANGR0049 (Husband and wife, or brother and sister?, the family continues to entertain)
ANGR0051 (The guitar music was wonderful)		ANGR0053 (In gaucho dress a more historic dance was performed)
ANGR0057 (A gaucho dance with their bolos, their substitute for a lariat)		ANGR0066 (The gaucho salute after herding the horses around the corral)
ANGR0074 (Horses being herded as a group)		ANGR0071 (The lead horse in each group had a bell around their neck)
ANGR0075 (The horses were herded onto the Pampas after they finished their show)		ANGR0079 (Place a brass ring on a piece of leather and what do you have? A gaucho game)
ANGR0076 (At a full gallop, pick up the brass ring and then it is a present, if you give the gaucho a kiss)		ANGR0082 (The finale was three gauchos running at full gallop, all three got their brass ring)

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