Nothing outside Asado matters

I find that sentimentality is often forced. Maybe it’s just me or my personality, I can be grumpy and pessimistic though I would of course label myself a realist.

I provide this introduction because I want to share something with you that could be seen as sentimental. It could be viewed as one of those travel brochures that paint a picture of a vacation that you’ll never experience if you take them up on the offer.

A couple nights ago here at Pinos de la Quebrada (a small rural estancia in the rural Interior of Uruguay), we had an asado prepared in the traditional manner with the fire on the ground and various meats suspended above the coals. Chairs were assembled around and people gathered with drinks and conversation.

Imagine it with the sun filling the sky above and a hand-made multi-car garage nearby made of recycled barn wood that would charm any American with visions of a lost rural America and fail to pass any of the current building codes, though proudly it stands here today. I’m sitting there, staring off into the nearby field where last year lambs are now growing up and preparing for the coming breeding season in the Fall, whether they know it or not, and it came to me:

“Why isn’t this real?” “Why isn’t this my normal?”

For context, long ago as a child I was fascinated with cowboys. What did you want to be when you grew up? I imagined myself living a life that was pure impossibility as most children do, but I held on to this desire maybe longer than I should have. Possibly because of that, I wanted to do what I had always wanted to do in life, be a cowboy. For a retail entrepreneur from the United States raised in the suburbs, this is admittedly ridiculous but the blessing and curse of entrepreneurship is the lack of anyone around to tell you “no”. So, here we are in rural Uruguay with a growing flock of sheep and cattle arriving next month.

What I want to express is my change in orientation in life.

What is normal? Today we hear that there is no normal. We hear a lot of nonsense today, but normal is what you say it is juxtaposed with greater reality as observed by others. Normal to me may not be normal to you, but in this case normal to me wasn’t normal to me. It was a noticeable step of change. A moment that stands out that my normal is changing. “This is real”

What’s more, this is what I want to be real.

Why is it that I need to be connected to events in the world that result in my disappointment, frustration, and lower my enjoyment of life? Why can’t I accept what’s around me as normal? I can. Slowly, I am. Ideally, my dream, is that a life of asados and the rotation of seasons and flock/herd progress is my normal and when I engage with the world outside of this, I will be conscious that IT is different. Not my normal.

I’m describing a life based on and lived on rural property where life is lived disconnected, for the most part, from events that transpire outside. A narrowing of the lens of focus to what happens here.

I know of no other place in the world where this can happen. Where someone can lead a genuine life (because remember others must perceive what you do as their normal, or you’re simply a delusional eccentric playing pretend, so your life must fit in harmony or be similar / recognizable to those around you) akin to what I am describing as a ranching family focused on their range?

No where else, but Uruguay.

Your desired life may not be similar to mine. I recently had a fantastic time imagining life on the Uruguayan Southern coast. Waking up to the sight of waves crashing on the beach and walking sand streets with shops nearby. It was through helping a client that I found myself in that situation. The joy he communicated made me happy. I myself found it charming, if not for me. After all, I’m a [pretend] cowboy.

We have one go round on this earth and I want to live it in a way that I find enjoyable. I increasingly find that that is happening, but once you are good I believe I need to help others. Let me clear, I do want help good people and not the entire world. I’m not a bleeding heart but sometimes good people need a hand and if you are in a position to help out, then why not? You’ll end up better off in the long run.

I want you to find the life you’d rather be living. I think Uruguay has it, even if you want to snow ski or you need more excitement. You can enjoy the season in Argentina while knowing every second you challenge the slopes that your home base and peace of mind is not being challenged by currency swings and political / societal instability.

If that’s not living well, I don’t know what is.

Marco