Experience the Gaucho Life in Buenos Aires
Mataderos is a local gem that most tourists still overlook, primarily because it is a neighborhood that is rarely included in the tourist guidebooks. Without the tourist crowds, you’ll experience the feeling of having discovered something unique and extremely local… and it is! Moreover, for travelers who are short on time and can’t visit the whole country, Mataderos reflects Argentina’s vast interior cultural landscape.
Mataderos (matar means to kill) is the place in a city where cattle is killed. Argentina being known for its fabulous meat, this place has succeeded in preserving tradition and mixing a wide variety of Argentina’s cultural elements. But why is this market so special?
Surrounded by the beautiful arches of the Mercado de Hacienda (Cattle Market) where Lisandro de la Torre and avenida de los Corrales meet, lies a typical Argentine market featuring gastronomy, cultural events and shopping. Every Sunday, several events take place simultaneously. The carreras de sortija (horse races) are an extremely popular local sport and definitely shouldn’t be missed. Real gauchos, wearing the traditional costumes of the Pampa, participate in this race weekly. Sortija is not a common horse race but a real challenge: the rider must insert the stick he holds into a pendant ring hanging at the finish line. The irregular running of the horse and the oscillation of the ring make the task extremely difficult and the spectacle amazing. A colorful flea market located next to the racetrack offers artisan food (pastries, empanadas, locro) and typical handicrafts at very good prices: leather clothes, mates, ponchos, knives and indigenous work.
The locals take advantage of this weekly event to meet, socialize and dance. Chacareras, zambas, chamamé... all types of folk music from north to south can be discovered through this spontaneous amateur show. During the summer, dancers perform into the night in an incredible atmosphere where families, children and gauchos collide. There’s no better place to feel the essence and soul of the countryside in Buenos Aires. You won’t regret it!
This article was submitted by Josefina Gamboa. If you have articles you would like to submit, feel free to send them to info@ontheroadtravel.com
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