On Horseback Through Patagonia: Day 5 – Padre Porfirio
Posted December 4, 2007
(Friday, November 23, 2007 - 20,63 kms; Pto Tranquilo-Sta. Rosa [Cerca Bahia Murta])
The past few days I have written about the gaucho life I have been living and this fantastic adventure that so many people here have embarked upon to demonstrate their passion and determination to prevent HydroAysen’s energy scheme from becoming a reality. Joining them in this fight has been an honor in which I have had the privilege to participate. But, you don’t have to take my word for it alone. To learn from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. why he feels it is important to “prevent Patagonia from electrocution”, go to: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Be8q8rAS4Ww or http://youtube.com/watch?v=UDvUwezzV20 for a version with Spanish subtitles. If you have yet to be convinced, you’ll be sure to fall in love with Patagonia after hearing what Beto Cuevas, an amazing Chilean rock star, has to say after visiting the region with us last year. We created this video to share his experience with you: (English) http://www.savebiogems.org/patagonia/video-beto-cuevas2.html; (Spanish) http://www.nrdc.org/laondaverde/international/patagonia.asp
While Kennedy and Cuevas were not able to physically be present for the cabalgata, their support was felt from afar. It worked out well that the major focus of the cabalgata was on the individual gauchos themselves. This initiative was a unique and necessary opportunity to valorize a culture and lifestyle at risk.
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After yet another amazing trek, now with more than 50 riders were riding by the spectacular northern ice fields, grasslands, forests, lakes and wetlands, we arrived in the community of Santa Rosa in time for an asada. As always, the food was plentiful and fresh; each community we have passed through has provided us with great nourishment to allow us to continue on our trek. However, it is not the food alone that has kept us going, but also the kind words and support that everyone has given. In Santa Rosa, Padre Porfirio gave a sermon speaking to the religious importance of protecting the Patagonian region, the natural resources and the culture.
His soft voice and clear message touched all of us. It is so important to have the support of the church in this effort. While not everyone on the cabalgata is religious, nevertheless Padre Porfirio made everyone feel like a part of a family working for an important cause. Porfirio shared his thoughts about the importance to fight for one’s land, the future of the region and for the water as the life reserve for Patagonia. At the service, Padre Porfirio drew everyone’s attention to how unprecedented and valuable this cavalcade was as campesinos, pioneers, and others united together to fight for a noble cause.
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Comments
Jacob Scherr — Dec 4 2007 10:50 PM
Thanks for giving up your Thanksgiving and taking your long ride on a horse - what a ride! Your trek was indeed a remarkable adventure, but it is also very important for our BioGems campaign to save Patagonia from "electrocution." I know that your participation was a source of encouragement and support for the gauchos and others on the horse march. Your stories hopefully will inspire other to get involved in their struggle to save their very special unspoiled natural place.