CLANDESTINO Cabañas . Cuesta del Viento . Rodeo . San Juan . Argentina . Windsurf .

10 Years Later

During the past 14 years, I have spent a period each year at Rodeo and I have realized that this is not a place for everyone! Indeed, we can say that it is a place just for the few. It is a beautiful mountain village with dirt roads, people on horseback... timeless!

Rodeo

Rodeo is a village of about 2000 inhabitants located at 1530 meters above sea level; it is a pleasant retreat in the desert landscape of the Iglesias district in the Province of San Juan, at the foot of the Cordillera, 1400 kilometres away from Buenos Aires. In this remote place, there is "Clandestino cabanias", a small oasis in the oasis. Clandestino is located just 5 minutes from the town and 5 minutes from the lake "Cuesta del viento".

Our History

In December 2005, during of our first trip to Argentina, we arrived to Rodeo, for enjoying windsurfing, our passion. At that time, we knew little or nothing about the location. The fact is that from the first moment, Rodeo did appear to us as such a different place from all I have been visiting til then. So strange, a lunar landscape! Days passed spending our time practicing windsurfing and we never got bored. In the evening, back to the "Parallel 30", where we have been staying in the last 3 weeks, after dinner there was the owner Marcelo, who was entertaining the guests of his "posada" with his guitar, by moonlight and bright stars. Beside the posada "parallel 30" there was some land for sale, surfaces with just some poplar trees and nothing else, not even a blade of grass, nothing! However, there was an air of tranquillity, yesterday like today. For this reason we decided, perhaps in a rather temerarial way, to buy an area of almost 4000 sqm, without knowing, at that time, what we would have done with it.

One evening, before falling asleep, I took my decision. The next day I contacted the owner of the land and after a short while we signed the purchase contract. I gave the Instructions to my bank for the payment and I then return to Switzerland.

In November 2006 we came back to Rodeo with some more ideas about what we wanted to realize on the land we purchased. During our stay at Rodeo, we stayed again at the "Parallel 30" and exchanged opinions with the owner Marcelo. Our idea was to build a structure that could offer beds to tourists but different from what was already available in town. For this reason we decided to build houses (cabanas). It remained to decide how to build them. Our first priority was to use local materials for the construction, so tiles of earth, straw and sun-dried cow dung. Then the floor in rough cement with a smooth cement finish; for the roof poplar’s beams and lists, which can easily be found in the area.

The Design of the Houses

We wanted something simple and practical, without having to spend a fortune on superfluous spaces, where, however, the guest could feel at ease. For the furniture too, we thought of something practical, with particular attention to the beds, which had to be of excellent quality, for a good rest after a day of Windsurfing. During the stay at the "Parallel 30" we met Marina of Bs. As. -architect- and with her we discussed the idea of the houses. She kindly offered us her help and gave us a couple of ideas on paper. We liked them immediately and used them.

Start of Construction

The construction period has not been easy and this for several reasons: for the lack of a vehicle to move around, the absence of a water network and the several problems with the workers as well as my lack of experience in the construction sector.

Windsurfing in Rodeo - Cuesta del Viento

The lake “Cuesta del viento” is constantly beaten by the wind. It is a thermal wind, which normally rises lightly at midday and is therefore suitable for beginners. As the hours go by it increases in intensity and the level of technical ability required by the Surfers also increases. Round 4 p.m. the wind blows from strong to very strong, which is ideal for windsurfing "of race ...." On the lake, there are others activities to do, like kitesurf, sup, and kayak, sailing and fishing.

Oasis

As mentioned, when I bought the terrain, there were just 4 poplars and nothing else; dry, dry, pure desert...! A great deal of work has been done to transform this small place: Sowing, planting grass, flowers, roses, plants and much more. It took 8-9 years to be able to see the first results; and there is still room for improvement!

The Clandestino Houses

The idea of building “Clandestino” has arrived after my return to Switzerland. During the first trip to Rodeo, it has not been easy to find an accommodation for the entire period of our stay. In those years, there was a lot of tourism in the region and only few guesthouses. Therefore, we decided to offer an alternative. Our structure is designed to offer beds, but also to provide to guests a quiet, welcoming, well-cared place to relax. The evidence is that after several years the houses do not demonstrate the age they have. We realize that pursuit our idea is difficult. The choice to build with local materials, in a harsh climate such as the one we have in Rodeo, needs a great maintenance effort during the season and even more when doors close, during the Winter Time.

We rent only two houses, as we want to guarantee peace and tranquillity to our guests, To ourselves and to the People of the neighbourhood.

El Viento

• It is a one-room house with a lot of space for two person or enough space for four guests. The house has one double bed, 2 single beds, electric kitchen and 2 heating (Ecosol), a refrigerator and all the necessary to cook. The bathroom is big: shower, sink with mirror, bidet and toilette. Outside the house, you will find a covered parking, a spacious gallery with shadow, a wood-fired oven, two tables, chairs and wonderful view of the park with its two fountains. • ¡NEW 2019! Heathing, faster electric oven, blackout curtains, tiles in the bathroom and in the kitchen, painting and gallery.

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Babylon

• This is the biggest house. The real difference is however, the generous space for 2-3 persons in the leaving room (kitchen, refrigerators, table, one double sofa bed, 1-2 single beds. In addition, there is a separate room with a double bed. Coming out of the room, you get to the bathroom, in a discreet space with a sink, shower and mirror, bidet and toilet. Through separate doors (one from the living room and one from the bedroom), you get to the gallery with excellent shade, one large grill, three tables, chairs and an excellent view of the park. Covered parking available.
• ¡NEW 2019! Floor throughout the house with tiles, painting, gallery and any changes.