I’m a city girl at heart, but every so often I crave the calm of the countryside, away from bright lights, neon billboards and endless traffic.
It had been a long time since Juan and I left Buenos Aires for the outskirts. When a long weekend came up in mid-August, I hoped we could get out of town for a while.
When my good friend Rosanna texted “vamos al campo!” (let’s go to the countryside), I couldn’t wait. Her husband Mariano’s family owns a ranch in Rauch, a town about 250 km from Buenos Aires. Since no one from Mariano’s family would be there for the long weekend, Rosanna and Mariano invited Juan, me, and our friends Charlyse and Gonzalo for a short escape.
The drive out of the city was already a relief. As we left Buenos Aires and headed toward the ranch, I found myself smiling and singing along to the radio. After roughly three hours on the road, we arrived at La Chela around 8 p.m., where Rosanna, Mariano, Charlyse and Gonzalo were waiting for us.
We entered the house to a warm fireplace and an instant sense of calm. There was no phone signal and no internet, so it felt like a true break from everything. We gathered around the fire for dinner — guacamole and chips, bacon and cheese quiche, garlic bread and hummus — while Mariano shared the ranch’s history, showing photos of his great-grandparents and old family books. The rural pace relaxed us quickly, and by midnight we were ready for our separate rooms and a good night’s rest.
The next morning the farmhouse woke us with sunlight streaming through tall windows and roosters crowing. After a hearty breakfast of toast, marmalade, cereal and tea, Mariano gave us a tour of the ranch.
Tall, graceful trees lined the property and we walked beneath their shaded canopy. Even though it was winter, the weather was mild and we didn’t need heavy layers to stay comfortable.
The highlight for me was horseback riding. It had been nearly three years since I last rode, and I longed to gallop across open fields. There were fifteen horses on the ranch. Once Mariano and Rosanna saddled them, we mounted and began slowly before moving into a trot and then full gallop across the property.
I’m not usually the biggest animal lover, but that weekend felt different. I rode Tormenta, an eight-year-old grey-white mare with a steady gait and a gentle temperament.
At first my heart raced—I worried I wouldn’t control her—but after about half an hour I relaxed, held the reins with confidence and let the wind on my face. The sensation was hard to put into words: freeing and exhilarating. Riding that day made me feel fully present and at ease with the moment.
That weekend felt like the first time I truly connected with nature in a deep way. It was a valuable reminder to stay present: instead of worrying about control, I learned to go with the flow and enjoy the ride.
We stayed only two full days, but it felt longer. Fresh air and slower rhythms work like therapy for the soul. Although our bodies were tired from ranch activities, our minds felt refreshed and calm.
Now it’s back to the city again. Gracias to Rosanna, Mariano and La Chela for the beautiful memories.
