Diary Entry
It was a great adventure in Iberá and became so dangerous that we left the national park early. From our chosen wilderness sleeping spot, we drove back along the long, straight road through the vast pampas toward Corrientes.
The drive is very monotonous. To the left are the farmers’ pastures, to the right is the border with Paraguay. Surprisingly, I spot two wild rheas pecking at the ground at the side of the road.
The city of Corrientes is relatively boring. It’s very busy and incredibly hot. But here, for the first time in Argentina, we find a restaurant that serves truly delicious food. I finally get a chance to drink maté, the Argentinian national drink. Even though it’s hot!
Every Argentinian is given mate with their mother’s milk and carries a thermos, a cup, and a straw with them as naturally as underwear. Leon finds a girl to play with, and we find working internet. That’s a rarity in Argentina.
We don’t stay in Corrientes, but cross the long bridge over the vast Rio Paraná to reach the city of Resistencia, just across the street. The city is larger and has more to offer. We can shower off the sweat of fear from our encounter with the snake in Iberá at a lodging facility.
After Misiones and Corrientes, we now reach Chaco, the third of twenty-three provinces in Argentina, although we only see a small fraction of the country.
Argentina is a country where siesta is practiced. From noon to 5 p.m., every day is Sunday. The streets are empty, all shops are closed, and not even dogs are allowed to roam.
It sounds like sirens are announcing a bomb attack. But it’s also 40 degrees Celsius, reason enough to close all the windows at home and go to sleep.
In Argentina every day is Sunday – from 12 to 17 o’clock
In the evening, we head back into town to give Leon a chance to visit a playground, have something to eat, stroll around, and meet the locals. In the large square, we also see a monument to Eva Perón, who achieved great fame and veneration in Argentina as “Evita.”
From 7 p.m. onwards, the city is full of people, big and small, old and young, but everyone has their cup of mate in their hand. People drive around drinking maté, sit on benches, or walk down the street with the cup in their hands and the pot under their arm. It’s a lot of fun.
Why Maté is so popular in Argentina
Maté is far more than just a beverage—in Argentina, it’s a cultural symbol, a social ritual, and a daily companion in many people’s lives. Mate’s popularity has deep historical, social, and emotional roots.
Origin and tradition
Maté originated among the indigenous peoples of South America, particularly the GuaranÃ. The Jesuits further popularized its consumption in the 17th century. Today, mate is ubiquitous in Argentina—whether at home, in the park, at work, or while traveling.
Social Ritual
Maté is traditionally drunk in a calabash (also called “maté“) with a metal straw (bombilla). What makes it special is that it’s shared. One person – the “cebador” – prepares the mate and passes it around. This sharing promotes community, trust, and conversation – it’s a social bond.
Part of identity
For many Argentinians, maté is a symbol of home and identity. It accompanies everyday life – to wake up in the morning, to relax in the afternoon, or while studying. Mate represents solidarity, warmth, and tradition. Even Argentinians living abroad often drink it as a connection to their homeland.
Health and effects
Mate contains caffeine (more precisely, mateine), has a stimulating effect but is gentler than coffee. It is rich in antioxidants and is often associated with positive health effects—another reason for its popularity.
Source: Copilot
Our time in Argentina is already coming to an end. In a few days, we have to be back in Paraguay to drop Dusty off at Esteban’s and catch our plane home.
On the way, we’ll get to know the province of Formosa and the city of the same name. But first, we’ll pay a visit to a small natural history museum.
