Trelew, Argentina - Cymru

The Welsh Influence
It's truly strange to be welcomed into the Trelew airport in Welsh first, then Spanish, English and Portuguese.  This is the epicenter of Welsh entry into Patagonia.  What were they thinking?  Well, for one, they wanted to emigrate somewhere isolated so they wouldn't lose their language and culture.  The Argentinian government couldn't have been happier - they wanted people to populate the desolate areas south of Buenos Aires and fight with the locals - the Tehuelche.  The arrivees must have been shocked when they got off the boat in 1865.  This is a desert along the ocean.  There is one measly river.

Trelew is named for its founding father, Lewis Jones.  As we walked around town there are still signs of the Welsh everywhere.  Trelew and the nearby Welsh towns of Dolavon and Gaiman have clearly seen better days.

There is a weary, tattered feel to the area.  It is the leader in wool production, though not much else apparently.

We drove to Gaiman for an afternoon tea at a Welsh tea house.

They made a big deal out of Princess Diana having visited.

It was like an oasis - beautiful, lush grounds and various sculptures throughout.

I don't remember my Welsh tea times well enough to compare for authenticity.  Lots of cakes and the tea was good.