It could not be simpler, it could not have been a warmer reception. Nothing but bird song and greenery around, interrupted by the odd growl of a passing boat along the adjacent Delta channel, a little Arienzo tango music, good food and a Quilmes, pleasant and agreeable companions. Life is good.
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| Our Destination, a small 'Chacra' (farm) of about 40 acres located in a little remoter region of the Delta Islands. I sported an outside, covered open air patio to host guests and eat meals. One prepares to 'matear', drink the local strong Mate tea, and thus work up an appetite for a few 'picadas', things to pick at. |
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| Historic family photos and an old Singer sewing maching stand in one corner. The whole patio is enclosed by a hip high wall without any entry openings. As the islands flood frequently, these 'rooms' are protected at least to the upper level of their enclosure. |
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| El Trebol, the Clover Leaf is the name of this island home and farm. Just a week ago, these grazing field was innundated, despite the sizeable dam all around it. |
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| Wetland cactus. At the bushy base it appears like a skinny leafed Century Plant, and its large six foot high flower stem looks like a massive bouquet of daisies. Go figure... |
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| The dock at El Trebol, wooden stairs leading to the little boat (left, suspended between poles away from the dock) are fortunately only halfway under water. |
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| Andres, who inherited his little house in the Delta (not quite Prairies or Pampas) from his parents. He renovated it and added a few conveniences, such as running water and inside plumbing. He pumps river water (hmmmm) into a barrel on the roof of his house, where he adds unspecified chemicals to kill the bugs - I guess. After filtration it flows into this tank, and then is pumped to points of use, like the kitchen sink and the bathroom. Easy to maintain, as all the pipes and wires and bits and pieces are fully visible. |
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| Old tractor amongst yellow Iris. Yellow Iris is a detested weed here, it grows as abundantly as Broom on Vancouver Island, and is almost disliked as much. |
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| Picadas...home cured ham, sugared carrots with ginger flakes, olives, cheese, tomato and home made salami. Andres showed photos of his salami making process, performed with old home tools and looking gloriously obscene - tasted great, though. |
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| And as desert - a little tangocito.... |
It could not be simpler, it could not have been a warmer reception. Nothing but bird song and greenery around, interrupted by the odd growl of a passing boat along the adjacent Delta channel, a little Arienzo tango music, good food and a Quilmes, pleasant and agreeable companions. Life is good.
