After Halloween in the jungle, I’ll admit I was a skeptic about Thanksgiving on a ranch. The whole extended family flew all the way to Buenos Aires and we weren’t even going to try to get them some turkey?

Instead we spent our non-traditional holiday on a typical Argentinian Estancia, horseback riding, watching traditional gaucho cowboys race and jump, and getting a taste of the country life. Of course the day wasn’t complete without a stop in San Antonio de Areco, a town famous for its silver and leather, and a wood fire cookout for lunch.

So this year, whole roasted pigs were the new turkey, grilled beef ribs the new stuffing, mulberries the new cranberries, dulce de leche flan the new pumpkin pie, and Malbec wine the new and improved apple cider.

Titi Mari’s smoked, fried, and roasted turkey trio were missed, but I can proudly add three pardoned turkey lives to our community service resume. We are truly lucky to have family so eager to join us for a small part of our crazy adventure, and grateful that they are able to fly across the world to spend time with us.