Category Archives: Landscape

02 Feb
Land of the Gauchos

Land of the Gauchos

The term gaucho comes from the word ‘huacho’ meaning ‘orphan’ or ‘vagabond’. It was coined in the 18th century to refer to the errant horsemen of the pampa – the Argentine plain who were often (but not always) wandering vagrants and petty thieves. During the Argentine wars of Independence these men were enlisted to fight the Spanish, and gaucho came to mean the militia horsemen who fought and died for their land.

At that time and through many centuries, cow leather was one of most traded goods between the old world and the colonies. The main importance of cattle was not the meat but rather the leather obtained from it. Since the commercial value of a cow was narrowed to such item once slaughtered, cows posed no interest except for gauchos who would use as much of it as possible feeding themselves.

They would quickly cook the meat in an open fire before it turned bad. This habit of gauchos was considered rather unwelcomed and unhealthy and added a further negative note to their already low reputation. Eventually, after many many decades, the habit of grilling meat ‘the gaucho way’ in an open fire turned into a national pastime: cooking asado.

Land of the Gauchos The term gaucho comes from the word ‘huacho’ meaning ‘orphan’ or ‘vagabond’. It was coined in the 18th century to refer to the errant horsemen of the pampa – the Argentine plain – who were often (but not always) wandering vagrants and petty thieves. During the Argentine wars of Independence these men were enlisted

16 Jun
Atacama Desert

I found this old bus in the Atacama Desert Bolivia/Chile border. If you look closely (see toilet paper), you can see that this is infact a toilet for the locals.
This place was freezing.

I found this old bus in the Atacama Desert Bolivia/Chile border. If you look closely (see toilet paper), you can see that this is infact a toilet for the locals. This place was freezing.

01 Jun
Train Graveyard – Uyuni

First stop on the tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats is usually this place, the Train Graveyard.
Construction on the network was started in the late 19th Century but abandoned before work was completed, leaving the train lines to fall into disrepair.

Technical and geographical difficulties, disputes with neighbouring countries over lost territory, and more recent Western interests have all taken their toll on Bolivia’s rundown railways. This wasteland, bereft of guards or fences is the cemetery where Bolivia’s once proud locomotives have found their final resting place.

First stop on the tour of the Uyuni Salt Flats is usually this place, the Train Graveyard. Construction on the network was started in the late 19th Century but abandoned before work was completed, leaving the train lines to fall into disrepair. Technical and geographical difficulties, disputes with neighbouring countries over lost territory, and more

25 May
Lost

With the LOST Season 6 Finale just aired, and the internet rattling with confusion and unanswered questions….
I put in my own image entitled ‘Lost?’
Photo Taken: Salar de Uyuni

With the LOST Season 6 Finale just aired, and the internet rattling with confusion and unanswered questions…. I put in my own image entitled ‘Lost?’ Photo Taken: Salar de Uyuni

10 May
Queenstown border, NZ

Had my first play on the new Photoshop CS5 trial today…
Attempting to create a look that doesnt look too over-worked. I dont think I fully succeeded with this image, but Its certainly worth posting for progress sake.
Comments welcome…

Had my first play on the new Photoshop CS5 trial today… Attempting to create a look that doesnt look too over-worked. I dont think I fully succeeded with this image, but Its certainly worth posting for progress sake. Comments welcome…