Domingo en el Campo

On sunday, I got to visit Claudio´s, another teacher, family farm. They mostly grow grapes for income that get exported to Europe and the U.S. The farm (el campo) has been in the family for at least three generations. In addition to grapes they cultivate many other fruits such as kiwi, pomegranete, oranges, lemon, peaches, pears, apples. They have a bunch of chickens and use a single horse to work the land. The workers are grandpa and three sons. Some of the vines were planted 40 years ago. Before the grapes I´m not sure what they grew.

Almuerzo (lunch) was prepared by the women of the family on a wood fired stove. There were about 25 or so people there. The walls are crafted of mud, straw and sand. Evidently they get together every Sunday and have for decades. There was a hierarchy at the huge table with the grandfather at the head of the table, then the men and guest, followed by the women and children. The women ate when they could between serving everyone else. The meal was delicious and gigantic. The first course was pork, potatoes, peas, bread, wine... Followed immeadiately by soup with a big chicken leg, potato, broth with herbs. Just when I thought I couldn´t eat anymore out came a cup of homegrown peaches and pears with a dollup of heavy cream. Yummm...

After the binge eating session we walked around the family´s gorgeous land. Just outside they have another wood fired oven for baking bread, an outhouse, chicken coop, lots of fruit trees, a stream. We strolled through the vineyards in awe of how the late afternoon light filtered through the vines. The clouds gathered around the peaks of the Andes creating interesting shadows on the 50 year old vines.

I was thinking about what a dream life this must be, as Claudio (26), who has lived here his entire life, fantasizes about getting out of this tiny town. I wonder if his father had time to dream.

After an hour or two of wandering the fields Claudio got a summons from Mom via cell that the next course of food was ready. What!? Yes, it was time to eat again. This round, more meat, avocado, olives, peas, potatos, coffee. (pictured above) It was delicious. That was two days ago and I´m still not hungry.

I uploaded a bunch more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/jackdcarrier. I added more photos to the existing albums too.

Chau for now,

Jack