Galloping to Freedom
The Quiet Dignity of Argentinian Gauchos, Wildlife Conservation and Finding New Dimensions of Belonging in the Land of Horses
Dear friends,
This month’s newsletter is stitched together from the many notes I’ve collected on the back of my horse while riding across the vast, wild lands of Argentina.
I spent the last month in a world that tugged at my heartstrings, opened the door to new dimensions of belonging and ways of being together and to each other, beckoning me to share its wonders with you.
I write to you from beneath a blossoming lapacho tree, its pink petals drifting lazily in the breeze. It stands proudly on a far-flung ranch amidst the Corrientes region, where the air is thick with the scent of earth and wildflowers. Just beside me, horses roam in quiet freedom, their manes catching the sunlight as they graze, their presence a reminder of the wild spirit that still pulses through this land.
Here, time slows down, and the beauty of this bucolic place—where memories of my European life and its civilizational tangles slowly fade into the contours of a distant world—feels like a secret shared only with the sky, the rivers, and these majestic creatures.
Among Horses and Horizons: Finding Kinship in the Wild
I always feel drawn to conversations that invite us to look and move beyond separation, bringing us into deeper kinship with lifeways we never imagined existed.
One such encounter was with Angie Solanet, the heart of Estancia (Spanish for ranch) Don Joaquín. Angie is a woman whose presence, like the land itself, feels both grounded and expansive, shaped by the open skies and the hundred horses that live freely across the endless fields. Together with her family, she has created a sanctuary where people from all corners of the world are drawn, not just by the beauty of this place, but by the spirit of connection it fosters.
Here, stories shared around fire-lit tables weave themselves between languages and cultures, and laughter mingles with the scent of home-cooked meals. Days unfold in the rhythm of the land—walking through wind-swept pastures, feeling the earth beneath your feet. And always, there is one thing that binds us all: a profound love for these magnificent creatures, who seem to understand our unspoken hopes and fears.
In Angie’s world, it is the shared reverence for horses that opens the door to something even deeper—a reminder of our innate connection to each other and to the natural world that sustains us.
Gauchos and Gratitude: Discovering the Soul of the Estancia
At the heart of Estancia Don Joaquín, alongside the horses and vast landscapes, are the Gauchos. They are not only masters in horsemanship but also custodians of a rich history that stretches back generations. These guardians of the land live by values of resilience, humility, strength, and reverence for life.
Whether guiding me through vast, open fields or sharing stories around a fire, the Gauchos taught me about a way of life that honors the rhythms of the land and the animals in their care. In their presence, I felt a powerful connection to the legacy they carry: a lifestyle rooted in a profound relationship with nature and the simple yet meaningful, moments that make up daily life.
𓇢𓆸 Join our conversation here.
✍️ Joyful Jots
After seeing the powerful play Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe, I was inspired to start a small notebook to jot down things that bring me joy and appreciation for life. All those moments that often go unnoticed. The play beautifully explores themes of suffering, loss, happiness and resilience, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there are countless reasons to celebrate life.
Each entry serves as a gentle reminder of life’s beauty and the small, delightful experiences that fill our days. I invite you, my dear readers, to grab a notebook and start listing your own brilliant things. I called mine The Gratitude Gazette. Here are a few things I’ve noted so far:
Enthusiasm of the most infectious kind. Cantering through lagoons bathed in sunrises. Swimming with horses. Dancing barefoot in the grass until the thorns stuck in my heels stop me. Singing “Don’t Stop Believin’” at the top of my lungs alongside two American equestrian ladies in their 70s. Riding alongside the Gauchos; Seeing a foal taking its first steps. Learning to dance Cumbia. Feeling blessed. Wanting to give my love to the world!
It would bring me great joy if you decided to share your delightful discoveries with me. Send me an email—or, I should say, a cheer chronicle.
🪺 Cabinet of Curiosities
ᨒ Tompkins Conservation: A Legacy of Wild Beauty
While traveling across Argentina, I met people volunteering with Tompkins Conservation, an organization dedicated to preserving the wild heart of South America.
Their journey began in the 1990s when Douglas and Kristine Tompkins, passionate about environmental stewardship, purchased large tracts of land in Argentina and Chile. Their vision was not only to conserve these stunning landscapes but also to create sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, and a refuge for threatened species. Their efforts led to the establishment of several national parks, including the stunning Patagonia National Park, Iberá National Park, and El Impenetrable, which are now a beacon of conservation.
At the core of Tompkins Conservation's mission is to create sustainable livelihoods that coexist harmoniously with nature. They focus on innovative conservation strategies, local community engagement, and education to foster a deep appreciation for the environment.
〄 The Brave Space project is an inspiring initiative working to reshape how we interact with both nature and each other. This women-led, multi-racial collective is dedicated to creating a more inclusive outdoor culture by focusing on stories and perspectives that are often overlooked. At its core, it is about healing — not just our connection to nature, but also the way we relate to one another as humans. Through powerful, character-driven storytelling, the team focuses on themes of social and environmental justice, intergenerational knowledge, and living with greater intention.
One of their most powerful contributions is the film Expedition Reclamation, a visually stunning and heartfelt documentary that uplifts the stories of Black, Indigenous, and women of color in the outdoors.
𖦹 The silence of Patagonia, fire, sewing, brewing coffee on the stove, a cascade of colors — just a few words describing legendary chef Francis Mallmann. This evocative documentary delves into his life and philosophy. Known for his mastery of open-fire cooking, the film captures Mallmann’s unorthodox culinary journey, blending raw nature with refined artistry. Set against the rugged landscapes of Patagonia and beyond, the documentary explores Mallmann’s pursuit of freedom and his constant rebellion against convention. Through food, flame, and an untamed spirit, it reveals a chef who sees cooking as not just sustenance, but a poetic dance with life itself.
📖☕Book of the Month
Kitchen Table Wisdom is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone seeking a more authentic, whole-hearted way of living. This book is a collection of profound stories and reflections from Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen, a pioneering physician who combines the art of medicine with the wisdom of her personal journey. Having lived with Crohn’s disease for most of her life, Remen brings a deeply compassionate perspective on the human condition, exploring how our challenges and wounds can become a source of strength and connection. Through her luminous writing, she inspires us to look deep into our weaknesses and understand how they color and enrich our identity, instead of trying to eradicate them. This, Dr. Ramen says, helps us be even more present to others’ suffering and offer them a place to heal.
🕵Opportunities
9 Internship opportunities with the United Nations (Oct 20)
BE European Parliament Traineeships (Oct 31)
BE Assembly of European Regions Program coordinator (Oct 14)
IT Center for Migration and Diversity Migration Researcher (Nov 10)
FR Cité Internationale des Arts Residency Program (Nov 1)
US Summer 2025 Bartley Fellowship - Arts Criticism Internship in New York (Dec 2)
US Women's Funding Network Researcher, Feminist Philanthropy (Oct 27)
Open Notebook Science writing fellowship (Oct 31)
Earth Journalism Network Grants available to support climate, environmental journalism (Oct 31)
Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Fellowship on global issues (Nov 1)
The Asia Foundations LeadNext Fellowship (Oct 27)
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration Migration Journalism Fellowship (Nov 1)
Artdoc Fest & Media accepting entries (Dec 15)
Are We Europe Workshop: How might we report on polarisation without amplifying it? Oct 31, 6:30 PM. + Their community platform for creatives, and media makers across Europe
Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship (Feb 1)
The Aftermath Project offers photography grants (Dec 1)
Pulitzer Center Local Letters for Global Change (Nov 15)
Yale Conservation Scholars (Jan 7)
IOC Young Leaders (Oct 21)
In these tumultuous times, I wish we could all embody the quiet dignity of the Gauchos—caring, patient, free of prejudice, and gentle, embracing people as they are. May we return to something essential: our connection to nature and to each other.
Angie’s world reminds us that belonging is not just something we find, but something we create—through the simple, yet profound act of coming together in love and reverence for life itself.
This is my heartfelt invitation to nurture spaces of belonging within the rhythm of our everyday lives.
with love, iva