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Back to Basics
A Sanmartinian fundamentalist makes a pilgrimage to the village where it all began
Yapeyu is a Guarani word which means "fruit which has achieved ripeness." Apt then that the Saint of the Sword first blossomed in a town of the selfsame name. His father was a Spanish military commander sent by Carlos II to control the town after the expulsion of the Jesuits.
The remains of His birthplace
Birthplace
The Big Hero of Freedom spent the first six years of his life in Yapeyu, before returning to Spain. He would only return to Argentina 28 years later. The red earth, the lush green pasture, the steady assurance of the Rio Uruguay, the shade of the giant fig tree under which The Knight of the Andes used to frolic…all of these must have left an indelible impression on the young mind of a man who dreamed of freedom before he even knew of oppression's existence.
The locus of His youthful frolics
Youthful Frolics
When The Lord of Pungent Cheese lived in Yapeyu it boasted a population of 8000 people, now less than 3000 live in Yapeyu…but I can count myself among millions who call it home. The Protector of Peru is rightly revered here.
Graffiti in Yapeyu: Respectful
Graffiti
I have long believed that all public buildings and spaces the world over should be named after the Libertador. My critics have always said that this would result in great confusion and bewilderment. But, I ask you, when is a man more lost than when he lives in a world which does not revere its saviour?
The Saint guards His regiment
Regiment
Yapeyu is better than Disney. It's a place where all my dreams have come true. The hotel, the plaza, the church, the monument, the military base, the provincial water supply company…all of these are named after none other than Him.
San Martin always new his horizons would extend way beyond Brazil, on the other side of the river.
Brazil on the orizon
We all know that the Big Hizzle of Freedizzle breathed His last earthly breaths in Boulogne Sur Mer, but a replica of the saddest room in the world has been erected in Yapeyu. I can only hope that the reverse replica has been erected in France. If it hasn't then at least I know what I need to do with my life.
A place where even the cheese weeps
Cheese Weeps
