Everytime I entered a classroom as a child, my classmates would sing the theme song of the Munsters and they would call me Wednesday. I also sleep on my back with my hands across my chest like a vampire. I´m pale (actually, I hate to use the word pale- it makes me feel ugly). Let´s say...I´m fair-skinned (much better). I have a dark hair, a widows peak, and I have a strange attraction to owls (especially white ones). I even dream about them.
So when the Gaucho told me that my horse was named Bruja (aka Witch), I wasn´t surprised.
Remember when you last watched an old-western and all those cowboys galloped around on horses and it looked easiy? Well, sorry to burst your dream bubble, but it´s NOT EASY.
"Whooooaaah. What is go...in...gg...oo..nnn?" The gaucho was far in front of me. Bruja started to trot and I realized that I didn´t know how to stop her! I leaned forward and tried to hold on for dear life.
Think Danielle...What do the cowboys in the movies do? I pulled on the reins. Bruja slowed down a bit, but then started to GALLUP! After, what seemed like eternity, the Gaucho was at my side, and took my reins. Finally, we came to a stop. Apparently, I can't lean forward and pull on the reins. If I lean forward, Bruja thinks I want to gallup. If I pull on the reins, she thinks I want to stop. I gave her mixed signals.
Later, after Bruja and I became more aquanted (she seriously had a mind of her own), I trotted and galloped (a few more times)! I´m surprised I didn´t die. Guancho helped me a lot. He also liked me a lot...EW...but it´s normal. Argentinians are more affectionate so the hugs and neck massages were acceptable.
After a beautiful day of riding in the rural foothills of the mountains of Salta, Argentina, Bruja and I returned to the Estancia. With a sore bum, I sat down and ate some dulce de leche con pan...I´m so sick of bread. But I have to eat something, bread will do for now.
With the spanish-music of the gaucho singing as he rode in combination with the views I experienced that day made it breath-taking. This is a memory I will cherish forever. The mountains hung like a deep-blue backdrop to the lush, green fields. The sun shone like gold over those blue mountains. The contrasting colors were AMAZING.
I´m back at a noisy hostel now. It's about 10:00 PM Some guy is hovering around me..."can I use the computer now...?" I really want to say..."I just got here, you were watching soccer for what, like 1 hour...you could have used the compu then...jerk." I´m tired, remember...that´s my excuse. But instead I smile and say..."I´m almost done."
I was just invited to eat dinner at the hostel´s fiesta tonight...thats code-word for pot, beer, food and dirty backpackers...I´ll probably pass. I hope...no I pray for sleep.
