How one Trip Leader shares the beauty—and athletic passions—of Argentina with his travelers
Trip Leader Pedro Porqueras (center front), with celebrated soccer player Gabriel Batistuta and his OAT travelers.
By Pedro Porqueras, Trip Leader, South America
My name is Pedro Porqueras and I live in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Argentina is the eighth-largest nation in the world, stretching almost 3,000 miles from north to south—and it has some of the most diverse climates and amazing landscapes. Buenos Aires is located between the Silver River (the widest river in the world), and the endless green of the fertile pampas. To the south, we’re able to explore Patagonia, a land of pristine beauty with lakes, glaciers, and unique wildlife. To the north, we get to discover the jungle and mighty Iguassu Falls.
Traveling has been my passion since I was a little boy. I’ve always admired the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau and enjoyed reading travel books. My grandmother, Nonna Betta, told me many stories of a faraway land across the Atlantic Ocean called Italy, where my family has roots. And now—at 35 years old—I’ve been on all seven continents and explored the lands I used to read about.
After working as a local Buenos Aires guide for Grand Circle for a few years, I became an OAT Trip Leader in 2004 when the first program to Antarctica started in the region. I love what I do and I really enjoy exploring my homeland with OAT travelers. For me, every trip is different and a completely unique travel experience.
In 2006, I helped to start The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords adventure. For two weeks, travelers visit glaciers, mountains, lakes, fjords, and wildlife, including guanacos, condors, and penguins. There is even a new pre-trip to the magical Easter Island, and we continue to offer a post-trip to the overwhelming Iguassu Falls.
Buenos Aires is a city of passions: opera, family, beef and wine, and the tango. But the city’s main passion is soccer. For most Argentines, our lives are measured in four-year terms known as the soccer World Cups. We don’t know much about the Olympic Games or other sport events, but every four years, our world comes to a full stop. We put on our soccer jerseys and decorate our houses and cars with brand-new Argentine flags. For one month, we forget about our corrupt politicians, our economy, and even our personal problems in order to focus on what really matters in life … soccer!
An OAT traveler once shared a beautiful quote with me: “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that will take our breath away.” I am so lucky that I’m able to have many of these moments on every trip. However, there was an extra special moment from one of my tours that holds a special place in my heart.
My group was getting ready for dinner at our hotel in Iguassu Falls when all of a sudden, I saw Gabriel Batistuta, one of the greatest soccer players of all time and a member of our national team, coming down the stairs and heading towards us. My heart nearly stopped beating! My travelers did not understand why I had such a reaction to this soccer player until I explained that he is like the Michael Jordan of soccer. My group and I had a picture taken with him, and also had a little talk with him about soccer and his life as a player.
2010 is an extra-special year for Argentina. On May 25, our nation will start celebrating 200 years of independence from Spain … and hopefully, we will celebrate our third World Cup victory in early July. We have already won two: in Argentina in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986. We have our fingers crossed for South Africa in 2010!
Explore the pristine beauty, mighty landscapes, and passionate people of Argentina on our Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords Small Ship Adventure.