Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
We came to a little village where I actually found what they called a 'hotel'. The traveller
must not be delicate in these parts, for such hotels are merely mud huts, and the rooms have
no other ventilation but the door, for windows do not exist. The bed, if he considers himself
luckyenoughtohavefoundoneandisfoolishenoughtouseit,issimplyaframeworkonfour
legs with boards laid across.
Early in the morning I was awakened by the beating of drums and the shrill notes of
whistles and Indian reed flutes. I got up to see what this signified and saw a large crowd of
Indians walking up and down the street, making this unearthly noise, or music as they call
it. The proprietor of the hotel informed me that this was the day of Saint Roque, and when I
admitted my ignorance, telling him that I had never heard the gentleman's name before, my
visibly surprised host immediately explained that San Roque was the patron saint of dogs and
that this day was dedicated to him, being observed once a year. Looking about me, I noticed
that most dogs were decorated with ribbons and pieces of coloured wool. I wandered to the
church,followingbehindtheband,andlaterenteredtoseewhatwasgoingoninside.Theroof
had fallen in in several places, so the light inside was good, although there were no windows.
A MOUNTAINEER RIDES TRAIL IN NORTH
-
WESTERN ARGENTINA
Usually the sturdy ponies, in these desolate regions, are ridden without a bit, and their hard hoofs are
never shod.
