Festivals and Celebrations in Cafayate

By April Selman:

Today, we closed the restaurant for lunch and went to our employee's daughter's baptism. We had such a wonderful time. He has 10 brothers and sisters, all grown. You can imagine the festivities were no small occasion with lots of kids running around! Ramon had been talking about his mother's empanadas and wanting to invite us to try them for over a month now and finally we had our chance. He told us how she made everything from the shells (which most use store bought shells), to how they use a huge wood fired outdoor stove. Let me tell you, all that talk wasn't for nothing! They were excellent, we were so impressed, we ate so many empanadas that we ran out of room for the chicken, potatoes, ice cream, pastries, and cake that was to come. We were so blessed and thankful to be able to share this special day with Ramon and his family.

On that thought, Argentineans, at least those I've met in Cafayate are very festive. When Charlie and I arrived here in May of 2008 we were shocked that almost every week there was some sort of holiday or festival. Some friends say, there's always a reason to celebrate and there's always time for a party! I love it, although I wish we had more energy to share in with the festivities but we have opposite hours. Before the restaurant, we ate around 7 or 8pm and made it to bed around 10 p.m. or 11p.m. Argentineans don't even start dinner until 11p.m.!! Most discos don't open until 2 a.m. and parties don't start until after mid-night. That pretty much left us out! Now with the restaurant, as we head home at 2 or 3a.m. completely beat, our employees are heading out to go dancing. Is that youth or Argentine? A little of both I suppose.

The upcoming week is supposed to be the master of all festivals where 10,000 people come to listen to Argentina's famous folk singers and dancers. The town has been preparing for weeks and we are excited to share what it's all about. It sounds like a mix between spring break and an old traditional folk festival. Our restaurant now has draft beer (the only in Cafayate), so we are prepared for the hot days and hopefully the thousands of people very thirsty and hungry for tacos!