#lovedbooks #wabi-sabi #booksky #Tschiffely

In the north of the Argentine I spent two days with a settler on his small farm. He possessed several burros, and as we discussed the relative sense of the different domestic animals, my host, who was an ardent supporter of the donkeys, told me that no puma could kill a burro born in that region. In that particular neighbourhood there were many pumas, and in order to entertain me, and at the same time to prove his statement, the man led a donkey away to a hollow, where he tied him to a solitary bush with a rope. This done we went away some 150 yards and lay down to wait to see what would happen. It was just growing dark, and after a wait of some two hours I began to think there were no pumas in the district. It was a bright night, and with the help of my field-glasses I could see the burro quite well. Presently he

doubled his legs and rolled over on his side, and then my host touched my arm and pointed towards the animal, and, sure enough, there I could see the puma, like a shadow, slowly creeping towards the poor burro, who then rolled right over on his back and started to kick wildly with all fours, at the same time making noises that were terrible to hear. The puma made a large circle around him and then slowly slunk away and disappeared. The man then told me that the burros there seem to know that a puma will only attack by jumping on the neck of his prey, and I had to admit that I had never suspected burros to have as much sense and cold blood under such trying circumstances as his shaggy little animal had just proved himself to possess. Good for donkey sense!

Great story from Tschiffely's Ride about pumas and donkeys. #BookSky #Tschiffely

"In the north of the Argentine I spent two days with a settler on his small farm. He possessed several burros, and as we discussed the relative sense of the different domestic animals, my host, who was an... (1 of 7)

Image of the copied text.

Burning dung for fuel is not too dissimilar to how we burned peat in northern Scotland when I was a kid. But in the Andes, they use llama poop! #BookSky #Tschiffely

From Tschiffely's Ride:

"Llamas never eat during the daytime but only after the
sun has gone down, and they are able to subsist...

Image of the text in the book that forms this quote.

This is real travelling! Tschiffely's Ride. #BookSky #Tschiffely

"We came to a little village where I actually found what
they called an 'hotel.' The traveller must not be delicate
in these parts, for such hotels are merely mud huts, and the
rooms have no other ventilation but the...

Mancha and Gato, from a painting by L. Cordiviola.

I recently read "Tschiffely's Ride" which recounts the author's 1920s solo horseback ride from Buenos Aires to Washington DC. It's a fantastic book full of insightful observation of the culture and environment. His love for the horses, Mancha and Gato, really shines through. #Tschiffely #Books
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Mancha and Gato, from a painting by L. Cordiviola.

I recently read "Tschiffely's Ride" which recounts the author's 1920s solo horseback ride from Buenos Aires to Washington DC. It's a fantastic book full of insightful observation of the culture and environment. His love for the horses, Mancha and Gato, really shines through. Recommend. #Tschiffely