From Paso de los Toros we rode south towards the city of Durazno.
Our first night on the road we stayed at the home of a ranch hand. A friend of Alvaro from Taquarenbo, Jorge looked like a Polo Ralph Lauren model yet to be discovered.
“Filipe we have been waiting for you to arrive all day,” he said removing his green beret to shake my hand.
When I arrived, Jorge was cutting the lawn. He has kept this ranch looking sharp for over 15 years for the owner, a doctor from Montevideo. I untacked the mares while he finished his job and sat near a large barn resting my legs. After about 20 minutes, he returned with a jar of lemonade and two glasses. We drank the delicious juice and chatted about life.
“I am writing a book, well my son is helping me because I never went to school and am just learning how to write now,” he told me with much pride.
Jorge was a simple man but he was also a great man. A few years ago, watching Television he was inspired to raise money for a Uruguayan clinic that helps kids with mental disabilities. It took him years to come up with a plan and organize the right people to help him, but last year he put on a rodeo that raised more than $10 000 dollars for the organization.
“I know it’s not a lot of money, but if everyone helps a little it will go a long way,” he said.
I was extremely inspired by Jorge. A man who makes a simple man’s wage, works hard everyday caring for cattle and sheep, yet has the desire to help others. The book he is writing with the help of his 14-year-old son, will also raise funds for the clinic.
“I will donate 100 per cent of my earnings from the book sales,” he told me over dinner.
I can’t thank Jorge and his family enough for hosting Mario and I so well! and inspiring us so much. After dinner, we drove to Jorge’s sister’s home and helped celebrate her son’s birthday. We sang happy birthday and after ate a delicious piece of dulce de leche cake.
