Valizas

We're back! It's strange going on vacation while you're on vacation. And if I thought shlepping it in Bailey's apartment was giving me a taste of life in a third world country, Valizas was the whole meal.

Wednesday:
Bailey, her roommate Anna, and I took the bus up the coast. Who knows how long the trip would normally be, but it took about five hours since we kept dropping off and picking up random people willy nilly. The Uruguayan countryside is essentially the same as the Midwestern countryside, give or take a few palm trees.

Once we got to Valizas, we walked through 'town' to the beach house we stayed in. There were several restaurants, a bar, a food mart, and small souvenir shops. Our beach house was a tiny little thing with one bedroom and a few cots. The shower head in the bathroom was right over the toilet, so showering was interesting. None of that mattered, though, because the parilla (covered patio area where the giant grill is) was big and fully functioning. We had an asado that night: grilled chorizo, steak, bread, cheese, and peppers.

Thursday:
Bailey and I got up to hit the beach nice and early (aka 11:30). We walked along the shore, then found a spot for a nice sunny nap. The houses right on the beach are tiny and hidden behind small sand dunes. There are giant dunes on one edge of the town, stretching out into the ocean. Needing to get out of the sun for a bit, we walked into town to get milanesa (breaded fried meat) for lunch and churros for dessert. We got the churros from a guy selling them from a tiny cart. He made them fresh for us, and they were the best churros I've ever had: crunchy and coated in sugar on the outside, just a tad soft on the inside.

After lunch it was time for more beach naps. Altogether we were only in direct sun for about four hours, but we both felt it. We took a quick dip in the ocean (how many times does a Midwestern girl get to say that?) to cool off and headed back to town for some homemade ice cream.

Thursday night we had yet another asado, this time with more variation. We had several friends over and grilled corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread, meat and peppers filled with egg and cheese. Even though I speak basically zero Spanish and most of their friends speak little to no English, everyone understands the language of food.

Friday:
Bailey and got in one last beach walk, wherein Bailey made sure I got my feet wet ('When is the next time you will be in the Southern Hemisphere at the ocean?') and we semi-adopted a dog, who trotted alongside us the whole way. The dogs in Valizas are rarely tied up and make friends with everyone, especially people grilling meat all night long. Our bus left I the afternoon and we napped our way back to Montevideo and 21st century technology. Valizas has electricity and running water, but that's about as far as amenities go. What else do you need at the beach?

Tonight Bailey and I made sushi and chilled for my last night here. The weather is gorgeous and we are both glad to be back to her comfy bed. Tomorrow I will say my goodbyes and head back to the States!

Ciudad Vieja y Mas Naps

Today Bailey and I took a bus to the oldest part of Montevideo, the part that used to be the entire city. We saw the most popular plaza in the city along with what used to be the tallest building in South America. Then we walked all the way to the shore and out onto a long pier next to the port. There were families out for walks and fishermen lined the concrete water break. After resting in the sun for a bit we walked along La Rambla and back into the city center. We took a bus back home, stopping at a second hand store along the way. Then, Nap Time! I'm starting to get used to a mid afternoon nap before nightly activities commence.

Tonight we are going to an asado at a friend's house on the edge of the city. Grilled meat, how I've missed thee.

Tomorrow we set out for a short trip up the shore; that's where the real beach naps begin!

Life in UY

There is sunshine here! It's a miracle. Yesterday Bailey and I walked through the feria (market). We saw two guys get into a fight after exchanging some colorful language. I won't translate for you, but let's just say you wouldn't want your grandma to overhear you talking like they were.

Last night we went to eat dinner at Laura and Dudu's. Bailey and her roommate Anna used to live there before finding their apartment. The food was great and it was an interesting experience--lots of language mixing and explaining stories with hand motions and gestures.

Today Bailey and I took a super long walk on La Rambla in preparation for our giant lunch. We worked up a pretty nice sweat, then labored over some chivitos (fried steak sandwiches with various toppings).

Estoy aqui

I've been in Uruguay for just over 12 hours and I've already taken two naps. This country is great.

I hope to see more of the city/Bailey's neighborhood in the next few days. So far, many things remind me of Rome: small streets, red Coca Cola tables and chairs set up outside of food shops, the tiny grocery store, and not understanding much of anything. Bailey's apartment is similar to the one I lived in in Rome as well, right down to the Chinese lantern light covers.

Best of all: I'm wearing a tank top and I'm comfortable!

As the Uruguayans Do

It's Spring Break! I'm done with work until April! This vacation couldn't have come at a better time--what I mean by that is CHICAGO IS AWFUL RIGHT NOW. Today was the first day of sun in what seems like weeks, but the cold is still biting. I can't wait to wear less than three layers and feel my toes again.

Brooke told my she's jealous of my "simple" trip--she's going back to Africa for Spring Break--all I have to do is get on a few planes and let my hosts/tour guides do all the rough work. I don't have to entertain anyone, and I have no agenda other than to see Bailey, relax, and check out where she's living these days.

I brushed up on some Spanish this past week, but I'm sure I'll rely on Bailey to do most of my translating. Even if I do understand conversations, joining in/speaking/getting the accent right is a big step for a gringa who hasn't left the country in four years.

All that stands between me and South America is 12 hours, three long flights, and a suitcase that won't close. Adios, Chicago.