Patagonia: the promised land of the Welsh

For: Gerardo Bartolomé (text and photos)
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We parked the van in front of the small inn. We were dead tired, with my wife we ​​were to do 1.200 km. I played ring, the door opened: "Croeso i ¡Patagonia!"I told the woman. "Thanks for the welcome Monica in Welsh." I replied. Finally we reached Gaiman, center of one of the greatest curiosities of the area: Welsh colony in Patagonia through.

Dusk. Monica and her husband Gwynn set the table and ate, talk about the place and its stories. After dinner we look at old family photos of Monica, descendant of the first Welsh settlers. "In this town there are still people who speak Welsh", said while showing me the prize he had won in the nearby Eistesfodd Trelew. It is holding a meeting half and half contest where the descendants of Welsh demonstrate their artistic qualities. Every now and then transmitted on British television festival, in Wales as they continue with pride, pending in these distant lands remain the customs.

In the mid-nineteenth century coal mining in Wales had attracted so many English that both Welsh language and culture were in danger. Several wanted to emigrate to maintain their values. A young man named Lewis Jones came in Patagonia could start a New South Wales. He traveled far and from Argentina wrote to Wales, had found the promised land. Many were recorded in the adventure. They embarked and 28 July 1865 Mimosa anchored in the calm waters of Golfo Nuevo.
With my wife went to walk around the landing site
, currently in the modern city of Puerto Madryn. As a writer, walking in there I could not help imagine the disappointment that would have invaded the settlers when they landed and realized that it was barren steppe. "Where there is water?”, I have asked one man to Lewis Jones, who knew the place was supposed. No doubt the leader could not give a good answer because it caused a stir. Without water, the colony was not feasible, back to Wales but was not an option because they had all sold what little they had to pay for the trip. The Mimosa was to leave but, somehow, persuaded the captain to wait a few days while they looked for a water source. That same day were divided into groups for water, but the sunset brought the first tragedy for family. In the evening one of the boys did not appear, and never heard anything about him. Nor had they found water.

The settlers had to accept the flag of Argentina, Argentine law and schools in Argentina. He sank his dream of a New South Wales but was saved the colony.

The valley around Gaiman is full of Protestant churches in the Welsh settlers. While visiting one and another, cross dozens of waterways. Yes ... finally found one of the Welsh Water. The mouth of the Rio Chubut was two days' journey from where they landed; chose this valley to settle. Things were looking up for these Welsh, but ... none had experience of farm.

We entered the museum of the people who work in what was the first train station, built long after the story we are telling. There, in the museum, find it hard courts were those early years.
Most settlers came from cities, not of farms, had never planted anything. They brought seeds, great faith and a manual that explained everything step by step. With great effort all they had planted in May, as is what the manual said but, Autumn was! The manual was in the northern hemisphere! He missed the entire crop. Starvation threatened families. A small group was able to travel to Buenos Aires and the Argentine government for help. At that time Chile and Argentina fought over Patagonia. Populate this territory was what Argentina wanted, but not Welsh but Argentine. The settlers had to accept the flag of Argentina, Argentine law and schools in Argentina. He sank his dream of a New South Wales but was saved the colony.
Monica had recommended we take a house where the traditional Welsh tea. Especially the cake was originally dark at weddings to eat on the first anniversary, when it was assumed that the couple expecting their first child. We filled the cake table, sweet, scones and various other delicacies.

The era of progress

Finally, after so many sacrifices, late nineteenth century progress came to the Welsh. Twenty-five years after that sad Mimosa landing veterans gathered for a photo memorial. But times had changed. The colony was exporting wheat to Wales and was very much more populated. But the Argentine government imposed its conditions, were schools that taught Castilian, military governor, laws from Buenos Aires etc.. etc.. Gradually the Welsh was spoken less and less; Monica was so proud to continue speaking the language of their ancestors, hence "Croeso i Patagonia" is as valuable.
But the story did not end there ... the second generation of Argentine Welsh also had an adventure. But that deserves another post.

Contacto@GerardoBartolome.com
Gerardo Bartolomé traveler and writer is. To learn more about him and his work go to www.GerardoBartolome.com

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Comments (8)

  • Leandro

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    Sensational story. I love stories that Mr. Bartholomew gives us from the wonderful Patagonia. Do not bother the rest, that got me hooked VaP., but this blog is great, my favorite.
    Leandro Carpeño

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  • ricardo

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    Fantastic story of dreams that vanish in barren rocky, and perseverance in overcoming, converting the desolation in home… If Patagonia and was one of my favorite landscapes on the planet, now, with these wonderful stories, what is even more. Congratulations Gary!

    Answer

  • Gerardo Bartolomé

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    Thanks for your comments. I want to add a story. Several years ago I was in Wales. At night we went to eat at a restaurant in a small town. The lady kindly asked us where we were. "From Argentina! – said – We have a Welsh colony in Patagonia. The Eistesfodd over there is on TV here. " Years later they confirmed it to me in Gaiman. The Welsh colony in Patagonia is held from Wales. There are grants, even teach kindergarten where Welsh. Greetings

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  • Araucanian

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    How good, Mr bartolome, how good. Thank you for bringing Patagonia to all readers of this fantastic travel magazine. I encourage you to continue discovering Patagonia beyond the Perito Moreno ice cruises.

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  • Monica

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    Gerardo :

    You are a very special writter. Thank you for your very proffesional work about Patagonia! Lovely to meet you.

    Answer

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