The Sun Always Shines! (In Montevideo, Uruguay)

True to my word, I have returned yet again to post, this time about the happenings during my weekend in Montevideo, Uruguay! I packed up after class on Thursday and headed to Retiro. I got a ticket for the midnight bus and waited for its arrival! I boarded the cama ejecutivo and settled in for the ride. I watched part of The Taking of Pelham 123 before I fell alseep. I awoke to the sunshine of Montevideo, the capital city (2 million inhabitants) of Uruguay. I got to the station and after I acquainted myself with my surroundings, I headed to the Claro's house (my CS host). He was a friendly guy who welcomed me in and told me to feel at home. I spent some time adjusting to the house and general preparations, before I left to meet a CS friend for lunch. We had a type of burger with everything on it--quite delicious! We went to the beach to see the view, and because I was feeling a little tired I decided to take a nap on the soft grass beneath the warm sunshine! We got up and headed out. My friend had to go back home, so I decided to take a bus through downdown. What a great ride! I spent an hour on the bus just going through the centro and old city; all very pretty I must say! I got back to the house and hung out with Claro. I talked to my rents and went to bed, ready for a full day on Saturday!

Saturday we got up and headed out at about 10:30--ready to see some insider spots in

Montevideo! We got out at Plaza Independencia and walked towards the old city. The area was really nice, with a couple of pedestrian streets and a nice welcoming vibe. We passed through some museums and fun plazas before arriving at Mercado del Puerto (Port market). This was the mecca of parrilla, or barbeques! What used to be an old fish market had been turned into a barbeque frenzy!

Claro and I found a good spot and grubbed out! We returned at about 3, and since there was a fútbol match at the stadium 4 blocks away, I figured I would attend :) Peñarol, the local team, unfortunately lost their match, but I didn't mind--it was a good game! I returned home and hung out. Claro and I left for a drink, and there was a popular bar that served Artesan beer. I had a "Diabla" which was pretty good! I got back and talked to my wonderful girlfriend Laura.

Sunday included a big one day "feria" or artesan fair. I got up around noon (slept a little late!) but headed down.

There were SO many stands full of merchants selling almost everything. I spent some time there before returning back to to go to the futbol match with Claro. Again, the home team, Defensor Sporting, got beat :/ We headed back to Claro's house and had some dinner. We then rented a movie and watched it, but it wasn't very good :/ Ah well! I headed to bed and was ready for my last day in Montevideo.

The sun continued to shine Monday when I left the house at 8! I got to the bus station tres cruces and left my backpack there, so I wouldn't have to lug it around all day! I hit up downtown, walked through another large market (with lots of soccer jerseys..oh how I love soccer jerseys!) and just walked and saw what there was to see! I met with the manager at CLC Books, which is an international organization that I learned about when some missionaries came to GCC! I met with the manager and learned a little about the organization (working on those contacts dad :p).

I continued exploring and seeing new places that I hadn't before, as well as taking mental notes of fun places to return to ;) I head to the bus station and loaded the bus. I was actually taking the boat, but before getting to Colonia I had to take a bus! The boat process was quick and kind of fun!

I returned to Buenos Aires at the dock a little south of Boca. I asked where to find my favorite bus, the 152 (that takes me everywhere I need to go) and made it back home, content and ready for the work week! I'm planning to be in Buenos Aires for the next couple of weekends, hanging out and having Francisco (a friend from GCC) visit! Thanks for reading :p ~Benjamín

Buenos Aires Upper Crust

I didn't anticipate blogging about weekends in Buenos Aires (because I didn't consider them "traveling") but I think this particular weekend was quite eventful (and included some traveling :p)! The events of the weekend included 2 asados (Argentine barbeques) a rugby match, and a polo championship. All this was going to take place within a 24 hour window!

Saturday I got up around 11 and hung out the house doing some laundry and watching soccer. I headed out at about 1:30 to catch the Club Atletico Belgrano vs. San Isidro Club rugby

match. I hopped on a bus, and after a nice ride and walk arrived at the country club. It was quite interesting because it was

in the middle of a residential neighborhood. I passed by

normal houses and all of a sudden a gated area with "Club Atletico Belgrano" appeared. I paid the $4 entrance and passed by clay tennis courts and arrived at the rugby field, ready for the match! It was quite exciting, but different because I was watching instead of playing! Unfortunately CAB lost by a try :( Ah well!

After the match I headed back home, where Luis and a couple of friends had arrived in time for

the Argentina v. Brazil WC2010 qualifying match! Valentín and Francisco wanted an asado, and I had to agree! So they went to the store and bought some meat (5 lbs for $10) and some salad stuff. I had made plans to meet up with with some students from one of my classes at a steak house, and so I headed over there. I had wanted to spend an hour or so to chat and still watch the match. I came back by half time to be saddened by us losing 2-0! However, the asado was starting to smell good, so that made it better :) We lost 3-1 to Brazil, but our sadness was forgotten by good meat and salad! Fran and Valentín left, and after talking to my wonderful girlfriend Laura I went to bed, ready for another asado and polo championship!

Sunday I got up and went to meet a CS friend at her house before heading to the

asado. Victoria was from Spain but had lived in Buenos Aires for some years. We traveled to the asado (45 minutes out of town) and arrived there, the first ones. Eventually 20 people arrived for food and fun (all CS events seem to be fun!). We enjoyed conversation and asado, and I headed out at 3 to catch the polo championship at 4. Having never been to a polo match before, I must say I was quite intrigued. This sport seemed rather "high society" to me, and I settled in and watched the match! It seemed a pretty straightforward sport, and I enjoyed the whole event thoroughly! I returned back home afterwards tired but quite content at a full weekend!

The plan for the next weekend includes a trip to Montevideo, Uruguay. Sound fun? Keep on reading to hear about it ;) ~~Benjamín

Weekend in Córdoba

Hello friends. Sorry for the delay in posting! I've been really busy studying...err, enjoying myself here in Buenos Aires! The semester is well under way here, but with 4 day weekends (and little work for school) that gives me a good amount of Travel Time!!

On Thursday the 28th I set off on a journey to Córdoba, Argentina, the 2nd largest city in the country, from my favorite bus station, Retiro. I left after classes and took a

midnight bus. It was a little late in arriving, and I woke up uncomfortably sweating--it was unfortunate because it

was the first problem of any sort I had with a bus company! But when you're quite tired y

ou find a way to sleep, so sleep I did!

I got into Córdoba on Friday morning, and my CS host wouldn't be available until the end of the day, so I was on my own until then! I had a look around town and checked out the area. It was 3 p.m. and I had a lot of down time (and no idea what to see or go to) so I decided to catch up on Harry Potter at the local theater for a Friday student special matinee ticket of $3. I enjoyed the movie, quite good :p Later I met up with Daniela, my host, and we went out with some friends.

We had some drinks and snacks and made it back to her place around 11. I skyped with Laura and my parents, and at 2 a.m. headed to bed--right when Daniela and a friend were getting ready to go out! Crazy nocturnal Argentines

here..

Saturday started out relaxed but quickly got exciting. Dani had her mom, grandma, and brother over for lunch, and that was a nice time. I then met up a CS friend at 4:30 in downtown for a little CS get together of volleyball and hanging out! There was a group of about 6 of us, and the "volleyball" was basically hitting back and forth--there wasn't a net. But either way we enjoyed ourselves, hearing about eachother's lives and where they're from! We left

the park at about 9, and were going to hang out with another CS guy before leaving (again, people go OUT at 2 a.m., not get back in--crazy!). I was there enjoying myself for a while before I decided to head back; but me and some others had arranged for a tasty asado on Sunday afternoon--yay!

Sunday I headed back to Guillermo's house (where we hung out the night before) as o

ur meeting point for the asado. We went and picked up some chicken, fries, and drinks

(food for 4 totaling $20) and had our feast while watching some fútbol! Davie, a Buenos Aires resident, and I decided to head to the country in Villa Carlos Paz to see the cu-cu clock.

We arrived in an hour and explored the sites.

We stayed until sun down (saw the cu-cu clock) and headed back home! I met up with Guillermo and the others and we figured out an activity. Every weekend there is an artesania fair in a plaza, so we went and scoped it out. I think I'll probably be going back in October when I'm accompanied by a special someone from Lancaster, PA :p

I caught the 1 a.m. bus for Buenos Aires and slept the whole way..Thanks for reading and commenting! ~~ Benjamín