"Hot on the heels of the British Ambassador to Argentina, Shan Morgan, who travelled to Esquel in February to open the new "Aberystwyth Square", the Aberystwyth Twinning Association came to see for themselves what this small Welsh Patagonian town had to offer.
The deputation comprised Aberystwyth's Plaid Cymru Mayor, Sue Jones-Davies, her son, Glyn Langham, Town Clerk, Jim Griffiths, Twinning Commission Chairman, Aled Rees, and retired Aberystwyth University Professor of South American History, Roger Mills and his Argentinean wife Mercedes, the secretary of the Association.
The visit was made not only to explore in detail the potential areas of cooperation between the towns, but also as the realisation of a dream of all members of the group to visit Welsh Patagonia. Such was their commitment to the ideal of the twinning that they paid their own air fares and expenses.
Not that they needed much spending money in Patagonia for the town really pushed the boat out for them. They barely had time to take in the beautiful scenery as they rushed from Welsh tea to exhibits of local produce and from Patagonian dinners to meetings with agricultural and forestry experts.
Sadly, things didn't start off too well since the local airline, Aerolineas Argentinas (which they chose to fly with to "fly the flag"), managed to lose their luggage in Madrid.
Although it all turned up almost a week later, some irreparable damage had already been done, particularly in the case of Town Clerk, Jim Griffiths, who had been invited to conduct the Cymanfa Ganu at the end of the Trevelin Eisteddfod.
Ever the professional, Jim insisted that Aberystwyth be the opening hymn and he bought himself a brand new baton to wow the avid chapelgoers. Sadly, Jim was in the Chapel and his baton was in Madrid. Manfully, he conducted with bare hands - Stickless in Trevelin.
Many new friends were made in areas as diverse as the Patagonia University, the Welsh Society (where they were accorded the distinction of becoming the first ever honorary members), tourism, farming, forestry, culture and dance, local government, national parks, steam trains, essential oils and flour milling.
The Mayor's son, Glyn, checked out all the adventure and entertainment activities for the under 30s, while Aled Rees braved the freezing weather every morning to get his team in shape and fully briefed for each gruelling day of wall-to-wall meetings.
Much flaunting of the gold Mayoral chain was made to the ever-puzzled locals, who are unused to badges of office, and many new laws enacted and elegant certificates printed to testify to the act of twinning.
After a week, all were battered, bruised and ready for the relative calm of Aberystwyth. Sadly, Aerolineas Argentinas stepped in again with other ideas, telling the group that their plane had been cancelled and that they would have to wait several days for another service with available space.
Personal wallets were again unfurled to pay 1,000 pounds per head to get back home via New York, courtesy of American Airlines.
However, even Aerolineas Argentinas couldn't put a damper on the Association's excitement and enthusiasm for this unique marriage. The only thing that disappoints them is that when the Esquel delegation travel to Wales next year, they will have the joy of flying British Airways, returning the backfired compliment of their hosts."
Article written by Jeremy Wood.
