Puerto Madryn - 28/July/1865

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 This is the town where the welsh settlers arrived in Patagonia . The date is celebrated and seen on street names , buses buildings . There is a town called 28 Julio near Gaiman. 

It’s amazing that in 1865 and early 1900 this town of 100,000 and the neighbouring did not exist . 









After arriving the Welsh put a red dragon in the middle of the Argentina flag . 

They moved from Madryn ( as the locals call it ) to Trelew pretty quickly as there was no fresh water here and the started the towns next to the Rio Chubut - Trelew Gaiman Dolavon.

The place of disembarkation is marked with the usual statues and plaques and a small centre with lots of settler information. Interesting . 


https://www.patagonia.com.ar/culture/68E_Chubuts+history.html

This is a town situated in the gulf where cruise can visit so it had the welsh flag but really it doesn’t feel Welsh . 

Although having said that ,the first house that was built here on 1905/1911 , parts still exist walls , doors and welsh dance classes and welsh lessons are still held.  


I was made most welcome at both events . It’s years since I’ve done a temps that dawns but they were rehearsing for the Eidteddfod in Trevellin later in year . 














For the welsh lesson. They meet at 1900 till 1830 and thevathrawrss Lorena is excellent and the class of 8 ask each other about “do you want a cup of tea ?” Yes please . I’m tired today etc .












I was invited as a lot of Welsh tourists don’t speak Welsh . So listening me replying to questions is good practise , 

Later in the evening I followed along to  Tango competition and then an evening of Cordoba cumbia dancing till 1400. I don’t thing the singer took breath for 2 hours . It’s a bit like ceroc so I could join on . Yeah . 


There a strong Malvinas connection here . I believe the term vecinos ( neighbours ) is used but the pow were repatriated here after the completion  of the war. April 2nd is a national day in Argentina. The uk barely remembers it although I remember listening watching tv reading newspapers about the war . It’s a far cry from a story I hear that Angeles was living in a 3rd story block in Buenos Aires and we’re continually living I fear and listening to government announcement to take cover from planes . Though BA did escape . They remember more than us and lots of plaques reminding that Malvinas are still Argentina. 


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvinas_Day













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