Very enjoyable Bill. If you were to tally the $ sunk into the ranch and place it next to the joy it gives your daughter and her husband, well I’d say money very well spent.
Interesting story to close out the week Bill. As you said in the last sentence, time doesn't always change peoples customs. Technology doesn't always equal a superior outcome from a cost viewpoint.
Reference your use of passive sunlight for warm water and heating the house. Simple but very effective.
Actually, could it be, an alive tradition in their world far, far away from today's modern world most of us inhabit. I suspect they have no idea about "our modern world" and as Bill found "progress" such as warm water or solar heat aren't something they care about. And, on another note - how many have had their COVID shots.............
I recall those many months Bill spent at the ranch during covid because he was not permitted to leave. Argentina was shut down, and the govt watched people like hawks. Covid shots were given, just like everywhere else.
Well, I should remind Bill, that a consecrated "host" is not a wafer but according to Holy Scripture is the Body of Christ, as He commanded at Seder Meal on Holy Thursday. A core belief in the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Eastern Christian Churches and the Episcopalian High Church, and is a miracle every Sunday or Holy Day or any day the Mass is celebrated by an ordained priest, descendants from Peter, and transubstantiated on the Altar, in Spiritual Form, the ONLY form that really matters. The Trinity is also a Miracle and IS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE, thus the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in Galilee, all subsequent Miracles of Jesus Christ and His death and Resurrection and the appearances and then the Ascension into Heaven followed by the Pentacost of the Holy Spirit getting the Apostles out of hiding and into the WORLD to preacdh the Gospel. You can believe or not believe but as Sacramental Christians as above we are taught and the Church enforces the Doctrine that to receive Communion and NOT believe is a GRAVE HERESY and INSULT TO GOD and a MORTAL SIN. I dont expect Bill is in that category but the word wafer is inappropriate especially after being CONSECRATED at Mass. Its not an academic or simple side argument. ITs CORE to the Faith. As my pastor stated several Sundays ago, if its NOT true then we may as well close up shop and go home. We dont do falsehoods here. Indeed.
As for Bills investment for 20 years in Calchaqui Valley and his many business enterprises there, it is perhaps a corporal work of charity and that is to be admired, though a head scratcher for me.. What he does with it now is more the question of the day. Does he gift it to Mariah and Adrien and let them handle the expenses or does he sell it to an neighboring winery or cattle rustler? Or sell it to the Government to dispose as they please? If Bill does nothing and passes away that task is left to his widow and children and can be expensive and cumbersome and not what Bill wanted. Just saying. His land (or with wife if its joint tenancy by entireties) and can do as he pleases. If his wife has joint tenancy he needs her signature or they must divide it equitably and Bill can sell his half.
Mariah is a fish out of water no matter what she says. A city girl at heart, prefers cabarets and singing and shopping to feeding chckens and cattle and picking grapes. She and Adrien run the place and I dont know if they have the money to finance its continuing operations. Maybe they do or they will once Bill is gone. Just saying...
and thanks for Bill for the story, I might add and the HONESTY of describing the WRATH of the conquistadores.....as depicted in Aguirre Wrath of God, the movie. And the slavery imposed on the indigenous peoples and some they brought from Africa.....for centuries in ALL of South America and Latin America. Human beings can be cruel and utterly hypocritical and so we have to presume God dealt with them in His Way and leave it at that. Religious violence works in BOTH directions. Sadly. But the sins of our predecessors doesnt change the MIRACLE of Jesus Christ and our faith and its own traditions, sacred as they are. Many of which come from Melchisadek an ancient Jewish Priest. Including some of the vestments and Mitre and Staff. And Chalice and Tabernacle. I digress.
Yes we too have a long developed cultural tradition of white tablecloths and and plastic tubs known as the folks and the politicos; we live different countries but the same world.
I am heading back to Guatemala this summer for my 10th or more time, doing the Lord's work there. It took a few trips to better understand the cultural hierarchy. The Euro descendants, mostly Spanish, are better educated, larger, better fed, and frankly, generally smarter, than the indigenous people. There is tremendous distrust there between the two and memories are still vivid from the 1980s when a civil war resulted in at lelast 200,000 indigenous dead. I cannot put my finger on it, but why they absolutely cannot change a few things to make life better, I do not know. I tend to put little hope in them learning a better way. So, we don't try that anymore. Apparently, being backward, ignorant, unwilling to learn/change is a cultural thing, too. By the way, unless you have been there and done that, you khave no right to criticize these comments. I get it, Bill. They could have a warmer and more comfortable life, but insist on not having it.
I understand that in Mexico in 1910 the revolution slaughtered all the white people with blond and red hair, descendants of the conquistadors. Now all Iive in poverty except the biggest criminals and most violent.
Very enjoyable Bill. If you were to tally the $ sunk into the ranch and place it next to the joy it gives your daughter and her husband, well I’d say money very well spent.
Bill—most humbly this is the best article you have written in a long time
I enjoyed being in your world very much.
A reminder as to why I read your newsletter every day. Every now and then, a fascinating picture of humanity.
Thank you Mr Bonner for the lovely glimpse into that culture
Interesting story to close out the week Bill. As you said in the last sentence, time doesn't always change peoples customs. Technology doesn't always equal a superior outcome from a cost viewpoint.
Reference your use of passive sunlight for warm water and heating the house. Simple but very effective.
Jim Marshall
Thank you so much for sharing. First time in a while that I felt better after reading the days offering and the comments.
This is a great story of old world traditions in a modern world.
Actually, could it be, an alive tradition in their world far, far away from today's modern world most of us inhabit. I suspect they have no idea about "our modern world" and as Bill found "progress" such as warm water or solar heat aren't something they care about. And, on another note - how many have had their COVID shots.............
I recall those many months Bill spent at the ranch during covid because he was not permitted to leave. Argentina was shut down, and the govt watched people like hawks. Covid shots were given, just like everywhere else.
With all their fiestas its a wonder they get any work done.
😂
Lovely. Feeling our humanity and wishing we honor it fully.
Well, I should remind Bill, that a consecrated "host" is not a wafer but according to Holy Scripture is the Body of Christ, as He commanded at Seder Meal on Holy Thursday. A core belief in the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Eastern Christian Churches and the Episcopalian High Church, and is a miracle every Sunday or Holy Day or any day the Mass is celebrated by an ordained priest, descendants from Peter, and transubstantiated on the Altar, in Spiritual Form, the ONLY form that really matters. The Trinity is also a Miracle and IS WAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE, thus the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in Galilee, all subsequent Miracles of Jesus Christ and His death and Resurrection and the appearances and then the Ascension into Heaven followed by the Pentacost of the Holy Spirit getting the Apostles out of hiding and into the WORLD to preacdh the Gospel. You can believe or not believe but as Sacramental Christians as above we are taught and the Church enforces the Doctrine that to receive Communion and NOT believe is a GRAVE HERESY and INSULT TO GOD and a MORTAL SIN. I dont expect Bill is in that category but the word wafer is inappropriate especially after being CONSECRATED at Mass. Its not an academic or simple side argument. ITs CORE to the Faith. As my pastor stated several Sundays ago, if its NOT true then we may as well close up shop and go home. We dont do falsehoods here. Indeed.
As for Bills investment for 20 years in Calchaqui Valley and his many business enterprises there, it is perhaps a corporal work of charity and that is to be admired, though a head scratcher for me.. What he does with it now is more the question of the day. Does he gift it to Mariah and Adrien and let them handle the expenses or does he sell it to an neighboring winery or cattle rustler? Or sell it to the Government to dispose as they please? If Bill does nothing and passes away that task is left to his widow and children and can be expensive and cumbersome and not what Bill wanted. Just saying. His land (or with wife if its joint tenancy by entireties) and can do as he pleases. If his wife has joint tenancy he needs her signature or they must divide it equitably and Bill can sell his half.
Mariah is a fish out of water no matter what she says. A city girl at heart, prefers cabarets and singing and shopping to feeding chckens and cattle and picking grapes. She and Adrien run the place and I dont know if they have the money to finance its continuing operations. Maybe they do or they will once Bill is gone. Just saying...
and thanks for Bill for the story, I might add and the HONESTY of describing the WRATH of the conquistadores.....as depicted in Aguirre Wrath of God, the movie. And the slavery imposed on the indigenous peoples and some they brought from Africa.....for centuries in ALL of South America and Latin America. Human beings can be cruel and utterly hypocritical and so we have to presume God dealt with them in His Way and leave it at that. Religious violence works in BOTH directions. Sadly. But the sins of our predecessors doesnt change the MIRACLE of Jesus Christ and our faith and its own traditions, sacred as they are. Many of which come from Melchisadek an ancient Jewish Priest. Including some of the vestments and Mitre and Staff. And Chalice and Tabernacle. I digress.
Yes we too have a long developed cultural tradition of white tablecloths and and plastic tubs known as the folks and the politicos; we live different countries but the same world.
I am a member of BPR for Bill's daily writing. The investment info is free.
Loved it Bill.
nice article and so well observed...
Have you ever read "The Wild Boy of Aveyron?"
-- a true story of a feral child in 18th c. France, in which it's also observed
that this child growing up naked in the woods had no sensitivity to cold.
Interesting. Thanks,
I am heading back to Guatemala this summer for my 10th or more time, doing the Lord's work there. It took a few trips to better understand the cultural hierarchy. The Euro descendants, mostly Spanish, are better educated, larger, better fed, and frankly, generally smarter, than the indigenous people. There is tremendous distrust there between the two and memories are still vivid from the 1980s when a civil war resulted in at lelast 200,000 indigenous dead. I cannot put my finger on it, but why they absolutely cannot change a few things to make life better, I do not know. I tend to put little hope in them learning a better way. So, we don't try that anymore. Apparently, being backward, ignorant, unwilling to learn/change is a cultural thing, too. By the way, unless you have been there and done that, you khave no right to criticize these comments. I get it, Bill. They could have a warmer and more comfortable life, but insist on not having it.
I understand that in Mexico in 1910 the revolution slaughtered all the white people with blond and red hair, descendants of the conquistadors. Now all Iive in poverty except the biggest criminals and most violent.
Seems the revolution hasn't gone south yet.