Dia del Campo, more like Dia del Eat-o

I didn't know that Friday was going to spent in the campo (the countryside) with the viejitos (little old people), so I didn't realize that Saturday's "Dia del campo" ISA Excursion would be part II in a two-part series of campo adventures.

I woke up early again on Saturday morning (what a sleep-filled weekend, right?) to board the bus with 40 other ISA kids to go out to the campo! Our first stop was Lujan, an area outside of Buenos Aires that has a very famous basilica. The coolest thing about this church was that I had studied it in my Argentine art class! Therefore, I was very knowledge about the style and structure of the building. We sat outside at a cafe near the church and it was a very beautiful morning. The weather here has temporarily taken a turn for the better, and by better, I mean, it feels like spring!

After stopping at Lujan, we drove on to an estancia called Estancia Mimosa. It was basically a repeat day of the day before, but with a slightly fancier, more touristy experience. The day began with a "Welcome!" empanada de carne. Which I, unfortunately, had to pass on. We were welcomed by a traditional "gaucho" dance (hmm, I was skeptical) and some free time to roam around the estancia. There was some horseback riding to be done, but you could only ride the horses in a fenced-in circle. Honestly though, after the Chilean Horse Experience, unless I'm in the wilderness on that horse, I'll pass. I took pictures of other people riding though, and they all had a good time.

After our free time, was another traditional asado lunch. I watched the meat parade, yet again. I predicted each new type of meat that was going to come out, and everyone was really impressed with my knowledge. Little did they know that I had just simply seen the same thing the day before! My fellow vegetarian and roommate Christine and I ate some pasta (it was a little questionable) and some deliciously grilled vegetables. Basically, lunch lasted 3 hours, and by the end, we were ready to roll away from the table and take a giant siesta.

But no. We were given a couple more hours of free time, with the promise of merienda (the 5 o'clock tea-type meal) to come. While exploring the estancia, we saw some amazing peacocks! They were beautiful and the male unfolded his plumage and shook in order to entice the female! However, she wasn't having it, and simply would walk away. Ok, sorry for that peacock digression, but they were so cool! Anyhow, we had our merienda- mate cocido (mate in packets) and some sort of pastry and then all of us took a nice long siesta on the way back into the city.