Punta del Este, Uruguay

Urugauy, where the hell is that?

Well, it just north of Argentina, and just south of Brazil, the capital is Montevideo, with just over 1 million people, it is recovering from a oppressive dictatorship- as most other countries I have visited here are-, the flag looks amazingly similar to Argentina´s, and I am here.

Punta del Este is a popular beach retreat for many of Buenos Aries´s elite (and of course other S. Americans), and you can see it everywhere here. There are Gucci and Prada, and Luis Vantan stores. They are selling luxory all over the place here...condos, fashion, food, and yatchs! The bad part...it is all expensive. But, it does make for fun window shopping- and given the weather lately here- I have been doing a lot of that!

Unfortunatly I have seen mostly rain, or at least partly rainy days. But, I resolved not to leave until I got a clear day. I was awarded from my wait yesterday by a perfect blue sky day. I went straight for the beach! I planned on getting some good beach time in in Rio, so this is my substitute. It is a sexy beach, but it can´t be quite as sexy as Rio. Nevertheless, there are plenty of small bathing suits, and a small, but happening nightlife.

All the waiting around, also had a good side effect. We found good resturaunts in town. In fact, by asking around a little and searching a bit, we fell upon a real small (4 tables) fish place off the beaten track. They were super friendly from the moment we stepped in, and, not really knowing what was on the menu (it is really hard to learn all the names of different fish, and cuts of meat in Spanish...I don´t even know them all in English!)...we setteled for the waiter/owner´s recomendation. All we told him is we wanted fish. Out came an impressively tasty fish...and a huge portion of it! It was so good, and only $8, that we came back the next night, with friends, and the next night again. I have eaten this insanly fresh fish every night but one I have been here. Last night it must have been a 20 oz. filet of Flounder...which was wonderful! But, the one night we did venture away from our new favorite, we went to a place called a parilla. Now, parilla, translated (I think) is BBQ. But this place wasn´t anything like a St. Louis style slab of ribs. No, more like half of a cow of hot sizzeling meat on a overflowing plate, served for a group. In our case, Alan and I shared the plate for 2....it could have fed 5 hungry men. Two types of suasages, 3 types of steaks, and then the fun stuff, grilled cow kidney, cow ears, intestine...you name it on the cow- it was grilled up and staring at us from the table. I think this one cost up $12 each, and it was quite the expierence. Of course, you muuuussttt try everything on the plate...at least once...I mean, it would be rude not to. .......lets just say, of the aforementioned wierdness ...the ear was my favorite... and it wasn´t good. But, overall, the dinner was great. Definitly worth the 12 bucks!

Also, another unforseen side effect of the storms, are great sunsets. The rain has somehow stopped at sunset time every day, and the sun peaking through from behind the storm clouds, over the ocean, and setting behind an island off in the distance makes for some pretty cool senery, and is an excellent way to wind down the day (you know the stressfull life of a traveler! :)....you really need to wind down. :)

Lastly the nightlife...for some reason, I tend to go out more in these smaller towns. I´m not sure if it is from boredom, or if I just feel safer here, and am more likely to go out and have some drinks...whatever the reason, it seems to be true. Last night, I went out with some new friends from the hostel (standard hosteling practice) to a place called Moby Dick´s Pub. Funny I thought, since I am reading Moby Dick at the moment, and realizing how many refrences of names familiar to me there are from the book. Pequods is the name of the boat in the book- also a pizza resturaunt in Chicago. Mr. Starbuck, is the chief mate on the boat- any refrence to the popular coffee shop?? Now this place...wierd...But, anyway--the place was packed with partiers, I´m not sure from where these people came, but they were there, and carrying on the tradition of the Argentines- we partied late. I´m not sure if the place ever closes, but when we saw the sun coming up over the ocean...we thought maybe that is a good cue to head home. Good times.

All is well, and I plan next to head back to Buenos Aries (which I am more and more excited about every moment) and then make the long journey home. Closing up the trip I am filled with thoughts and reflections, but that will wait for a later time. I hope all is well at home...and I hope to see all of you soon.