Carnival is a well-known tradition in most Catholic countries. It’s the celebration that takes place right before Lent, 40 days before Easter. Its name comes from the Latin carnem levare, which loosely translated into “to put away meat”, as theoretically Catholics aren’t supposed to eat meat during Lent (this might come in handy for me as a vegetarian). In my role as a socio-cultural scientist, I went to perhaps the most traditional Argentinian Carnival — the Carnival of Tilcara, Jujuy. Very appropriately, I was accompanied by a man named Jesús. (more…)
Tag: Argentina
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INDIGENOUS COLOMBIAN CRAFTS IN SALTA
I’ve always been intrigued by individuals living from the streets. Artists, buskers, craftsmen, salesmen, shoe polishers and all those nearly invisible eccentrics for whom the streets represent an endless playground of opportunities. Not only, because there’s usually a lot of “hidden” talent on the streets, but also because people on the streets are the ones who really see it all. Streets are where everything happens. (more…)
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THE RISKS OF CYCLING IN BUENOS AIRES
If there’s one South American city where cycling is a dream, it’s definitely Buenos Aires. The ciclovías (cycling lanes) span over 150kms, the mild, subtropical climate is great for pedaling all year round, there are no hills, the roads are in good conditions and most of them are one way. Some local cafeterias even contribute into make cycling more popular by offering free coffees and pastries to cyclists, (more…)
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FAMILY GONZALEZ: PERSONALITIES WITH HEARTS OF GOLD
In the province of Tucumán, lives a family that I have come to consider my own, although it is not. A family, which has showed me such love and affection that I can hardly believe anyone ever would towards a “stranger”. This family is the Family Gonzalez, a group of lovely people bound together by name and history — a family whose warmheartedness I shall never forget. (more…)
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LANDS OF ANCESTORS: TEARS IN CALCHAQUÍ VALLEY
The Calchaquí Valley (Valles Calchaquíes) is no doubt the most emotional place that I’ve been to so far in South America. The view towards the valley from any of its multicolored mountains is beyond impressive, and the stories of locals bring the whole landscape into a deeper context which makes the experience even far more intense than the mere sight of it. Yet, the tragic history of the valley is present in every rock on the ground, in every ray of the sun, in the look in every local’s eyes. And at the same time, it all feels sacred — which to its inhabitants, it is. (more…)
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POSTCARD: INFIERNILLO 3043 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL
This is more or less where I am. Internet connections are scarce…This picture was taken right after pushing my bicycle uphill for 25kms and before the downhill to one of the most beautiful villages I’ve ever seen: Amaicha del Valle, Argentina. More updates coming soon from the Valley Calchaqui!
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1000 KILOMETERS OF HOSPITALITY
In my last post, I stated that people are just way too afraid of each others. Lovely, friendly people often warn you about bad people. “The world is full of weirdos”, they say. Yet, most people in this world are just as lovely and friendly as those people warning you about the bad guys. To show what I mean, here are the people I stayed with in Northern Argentina – cycling through the provinces of Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán. This is what I call 1000 kilometers of hospitality! (more…)
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VÍA CRUCIS FORMOSEÑO: PILGRIMAGE ROUTE BY BICYCLE
Vía Crucis Formoseño is a pilgrimage route in Formosa, Argentina. The 512km-long stretch used to be done only by car, until one local lady decided to give it a try on a bicycle. In year 2008, Celia Insaurralde convinced three of her friends to go with her and so began the story of the Cicloperegrinos – pilgrims on bicycles.
