During my eight-plus years at Techworld, I conducted numerous interviews with potential employees. Inevitably, one of the questions they always ask is “What’s the best part about working at Techworld?” My response was always the same: “I love getting to know linguists from around the world.” (although I usually gave a longer answer than that). I became friends with many of the linguists, most of whom I had never met or even spoken with over the phone. It was (and still is) amazing to me how relationships can be formed through email. Thanks to work conferences or events over the years, I had the opportunity to actually meet a small handful of linguists and get to know them on a more personal level.

We shared some mate one afternoon, although neither Jon nor I cared for the taste.

One of the first translators I “met” when I first started working at Techworld was a Spanish translator living in Argentina named Pamela. She was always so friendly and helpful over emails, especially back in the days when I was still figuring out what this whole translation business was all about. Pam would ask about my weekend and tell me about hers, she would share pictures of her children, and check in with me when there was a big storm to make sure we were OK. The friendship that I built with Pam via email was special and we were finally able to meet, years later, when she visited the USA with her family. Having one day in Detroit scheduled, my friend and coworker Jennifer and I showed them around Detroit, giving them a taste of their first coney dog and accompanying them on a ride on the People-Mover. While our time together in Detroit was short, it cemented our friendship as more than just colleagues.

Back in the fall of 2014, Pam, Martin, and their three children visited Techworld and Detroit.

Fast forward to when we left for our trip and I knew from the start that I wanted to make a stop in Argentina to visit Pam and her family. Los Quirquinchos is not a large city but was the most important stop during our time in the country; we built the rest of our itinerary around the visit. We planned a short stay, arriving early one afternoon and departing late the next day, but I can easily say it was the highlight of our time in Argentina.

The pool was a welcome relief from the hot summer days!

With Pam and Martin at the dairy farm.

We were welcomed to Pam’s home and right away made to feel comfortable. From the room at her mother’s house where we stayed to the pool in the backyard (which they sharer), we were at ease with the surroundings and her entire family. After a quick dip in the pool, we left to visit her cousin’s dairy farm feeling refreshed. Having grown up and lived in cities, Jon and I had never been to a working farm before so it was a real treat to be able to see the dairy cows and calves. Along with her cousin Sebastian, we walked through the process of milking the cows before strolling along the crops (also grown on the farm) to visit the calves. Ranging from one week to about ten months old, the calves ‘moo’ed’ loudly for their food. Some were friendlier than others, allowing us to pat them and for one to suckle our fingers. Pam’s farm lies a short distance away and there, we were able to peer inside the tall silos and watch their sheep run from one pasture to the next.

The cows walked into their spots in the barn to be milked, which took about 15 minutes per ’round’, before they were allowed back out to the pasture.

This calf loved to suck on our fingers, like he was trying to nurse.

We returned to the house where we spent some time playing with her children and chatting with her mother, Norma. That evening, they decided to host an asado (a traditional Argentine BBQ) and invited her cousins and their families to join us. Jon hung out with the men, watching them prepare an entire slab of beef and a whole piglet. Both meats were smoked but using different methods: the beef was placed into a more modern-looking grill and the piglet was cooked over coals in a brick fireplace. Alongside ~20 of Pam’s family, we had a leisurely and memorable dinner that evening. Dishes were passed family-style and we didn’t hesitate to try a little bit of everything, going back for seconds and thirds of our favorites.

A table outside, filled with friends, family, and good food – what a memorable evening!

This is just one of the many platters of food we had for the asado.

If I could use one word to sum up our visit with Pam and her family, it would be “hospitality.” Her entire family welcomed us with open arms, making us feel at home and among friends. From a tour of her cousin’s dairy farm to a comfortable room in her mother’s house, we were thankful to everyone we met. I know that we’ll always have another home in Los Quirquinchos should we return someday and we are grateful to Pam’s entire family for hosting us.

Pam’s family welcomed us with open arms!

Thank you to Pamela, Martin, Sofi, Pauli, Dioni, Norma, Sebastian, Andi, and everyone else who we met – I know I’m forgetting a few names here but we were so happy to meet you all!! ¡Muchas graçias!

Cheers to a wonderful friend!