The Travel Chica

Live Simple. Consume Less. Experience More.

Campo in the City

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I am a city girl, but I do enjoy the country.

I am looking forward to exploring the campo (countryside) in Argentina.   While staying in Buenos Aires, I got a little taste of the country at the Feria de Mataderos just a 45-minute bus ride from Palermo.  At the end of July, I got an even bigger taste without even leaving my neighborhood.

Exposición Rural

Exposición Rural is an annual two-week exhibition of all things gaucho (cowboy) and campo (countryside).  It is held at the huge La Rural exhibition center in Palermo, the same location where I attended the Feria del Libro.

There were so many things to see.  It was like every fair I have ever attended all rolled into one and then more. You could go multiple days and still not see it all.

Wines & Specialty Foods

We started with some wine tasting (to help me handle the crowds) and because, well, I am apparently on a mission to try every wine in Argentina.

Photo of wine tasting

The Live Animals

I have been to a few county and state fairs that have animals, but those were nothing compared to both the quantity and variety of what was on display (and for sale) at La Rural.

Photo of cow

Photo of cattle

This crazy goose had a really long neck, and I am pretty sure it tried to attack me.  Or it was just scratching its neck against the cage.  Either way, I got out of the way quickly.

Photo of goose

There was even a peacock!!

Photo of peacock

The Dead Animals

I am quite certain PETA does not have a presence in Argentina.

In the market for a chinchilla coat?

Photo of fur coat

Cheeses & Fiambres

I think I spent the most time sampling cheeses and fiambres (cured meat).  There were multiple booths, and they were handing out samples left and right.

I should start buying my cheese in bulk.

Photo of gigantic cheese

Photo of fiambres

The Sweets

Why wouldn’t Argentines fill strudel with dulce de leche?

Photo of strudel

All-Terrain Vehicle Course

One of the most surprising things was the massive course set up for all-terrain vehicles.  You could take a ride around the track, going through the various obstacles.

This truck went back and forth, balancing on this seesaw.
Note in the photo on the left it says “La Pick-up”  :-)

3 photos of truck on obstacle course

The People

The best word to describe the people watching at La Rural is “Awesome!”

Check out these gauchos from the campo.

Photo of man in the crowd

Photo of gaucho

Photo of man sipping mate

Photo of the horse show

Photo of group of gauchos

If you are in Buenos Aires during Exposición Rural, this is a must-do event.  At 20 pesos (US$5), it is a cheap activity.  You can easily spend the whole day there and even fill up on the free samples.

TIP:  Due to my intense dislike of crowds and the fact that it was Winter break for the kiddies in Buenos Aires, I did not see all because my patience quickly grew thin. Go early to avoid the crowds.

Comments

  1. You gt some really cool shots. My favourite ones are those of the gauchos.
    I haven’t been to the Rural in years but I share your dislike of crowds, especially during the winter break,.
    I’ve never ever seen a dulce de leche strudel, how cool is that!
    Ana recently posted..Travel like a history nerd

  2. I don’t like your blog. You seem like a very negative, bitter, unhappy traveller. I do not agree with most of the things you write. Stop writing in spanglish, it’s pathetic. You try too hard to be Argentinian, you don’t need to do the things we do. Be American. Be what you are. The only good thing I will say is that you have beautiful pictures. Next trip bring yourself an entire suitcase filled with peanut butter or better yet, just stay home.

  3. I, on the other hand, have just found your blog and I’m finding it fascinating. Angela is right though when she says that you do have beautiful pictures. Looking forward to reading more in the future (and going back to read the past too.)
    Steve recently posted..Eat My Way Through The Ballgame

  5. famous, wise quote of American mothers: “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all!”

  7. I have to say that you did an excellent job capturing the La Rural experience. Great photos and great observations.

    I too tried the cheese and some was rubbery, but some was deeeeelicious. The only photo missing would be of the kids upon kids upon kids that were there as well. It made it difficult to walk at times, but it is probably as close as some kids are ever going to come to “el campo”.

    Love the observations. Hope you don’t “just stay home”. (ha ha ha ha… LOVE the venom from response #2!!)

    PS- From #2 again “I will say… that you have beautiful pictures.”
    Chancito recently posted..Buenos Aires Chinatown

  12. This looks like a great event, I would love to go one day. Beautiful photos too! I especially like the cheese and meat market shots! 😉

  18. I’d love to go to something like that. I so enjoyed seeing gauchos when we were in South America – especially their fashion =)

  21. Recognise a few of those faces there at the Feria de Mataderos – reckon some of those guys have posed 100s of times – that’s one of my most favourite things to do on a weekend in Buenos Aires. Also loved the Exposición Rural which I remember we had to cover when we wrote the first edition of the Lonely Planet Buenos Aires Encounter guide – that was the fun part of the job! All of those cold cuts from Patagonia were sublime – almost as good as in Italy. Great post!

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