A thought concerning lunches

For both Saturday and Sunday of this past weekend here in 9 de Julio (and at other times last week in Jose C Paz) we have had lunches that have lasted four or more hours. While this is not the norm everyday it strikes me that there are significant cultural differences regarding the eating of meals here in Argentina than back home in the US. The meal is an ongoing process here in which various courses are served over time. But more important is the social context where there is much talking and sharing and moving around. And it is not rushed because it is assumed that one is going to be there for a while so time does not matter as much. For those of us in our North American culture who view food and meals as a commodity and something to be got through (and I put myself in that category as a prime offender) it is good for us to learn that there is another and perhaps better way of sharing both time and food with good friends and companions in this journey through life. 

And since we were at a working estancia yesterday, here is the food being prepared, a process in and of itself that took more than four hours before we even arrived. This is truly slow cooking!