The first time I went to La Casona del Molino was on january 2009. Those were my first holidays without my parents, that I paid for with my first job and I was travelling with my best friend, Natalia. We were 19 years old and we wanted to know everything around. We were studying social studies so we were looking for culture and authentic spots.
In those times we didn’t have Smart phones and we didn’t have an application to let us know where to visit, so we did it at the old way: we arrived at the Hotel “Casablanca” in Salta City, and ask at the hotel where to have the best empanadas.
Apparently, we asked to the right guy. Gustavo told us that he and his family loved a beautiful place where you can eat empanadas, drink wine and also listen to music. It sounded perfect so at night we took our coats (yes, it can get very cold at night) and followed Gustavo to La Casona.
The Building is lovely to be seen: a very old and big house that used to serve as a storage place, and where the Independence soldiers rested between battles in the 1800s. They didn’t change the original structure, so the tables are accommodated in different rooms, and in two big patios.
Gustavo recommended us to sit in the front room, since he knew some people there. We asked for empanadas, quesillo and humitas, and of course, a jar of wine (they came more after this one, as you can picture). We loved the food. As we were eating people said hello to Gustavo. They had empanadas close to us. When they finished eating they took some guitars of nowhere and started to play!
This wasn’t a show. They were like a family in their own living room. But the people at the other tables started to sing with them. And when their second song finished, another group of Friends took their guitar and play some. Everyone was laughing and singing, even us.
I never felt that comfy and familiar in a new place before. I think that La Casona has a kind of Magic that makes people to feel as a community, to share culture and to be friends.
That place felt so authentic so full of memories, and stories and happiness. It felt like a secret. So at the beginning I didn’t want to share this beautiful discovery with anyone. But then, I realized that it was an amazing experience to share. Months later my american uncle Adriana visited me, and we went to Salta together. And of course, I just wanted to show her my last and beloved Casona. Of course she loved the wine, and the music. Everytime I see her again (last time was in Mexico) we remember our dinner with a smile in our faces.
La Casona is a piece of argentine history and also mine. It is like my secret, but it is one that I would love to share with anyone who wants to discover the argentinian culture and to have adventures and make new Friends. I think that La Casona is one of this places that makes the world less hostile and more kind and habitable. That’s what I like to share the most on Google Guides: the authentic places, this hidden gems that you discover when you travel and talk to the locals. As Gustavo showed me his special place, and made me fall in love with it, I think in this community as an opportunity to share this discoveries and spread our happiness with others freely. It feels good to give a little part of my heart to others and feel that someone that I don’t know can read your story and feel close and grateful
