Enlightenment

Today was a unique day. I was traveling until 2pm today (24 hrs of travel if you're keeping track...ugh). I had to wait 3 hours at the buquebus ferry station because of when I arrived. Fortunately, I met an awesome couple from San Francisco in the station and we chatted for awhile on the ferry then ran into each other again at a bar in town. see photos.

Tonight at the hostel were two ladies from France, two Polish gentlemen, a couple from South Africa, and a guy from Rio. A nice diverse group. Some of us went out to El Drugstore, an apparently popular bar that I have some pictures from that will be in my next entry. It was pretty empty, but then again this is a pretty small town, and I guess it's Wednesday :-P

My conversation with one of the Polish doctors is what made my day unique. I think at first he was trying to educate me on the world, which I admit to being a bit offended by, but mostly I think he was genuinely shocked that I only know one language. It's certainly not my favorite thing to admit, but it is what it is. His point was that you can never truly understand the mentality of a people until you know their people. I pointed out that while that makes great sense, I still could not understand the Argentina and Uruguay people in only 10 days, even if I did understand spanish. I learned two things tonight. I would really like to do a long term trip so that I can truly learn a people (and a language), and most people are not the assholes they may first seem :)

Colonia is a beautiful little town, if a bit boring. I spent 700 pesos for lunch and had noo idea what the exchange rate was. Needless to say, I was a bit panicked. But alas, it's 20 to 1. Sweet! A glass of wine is like $2.50! Guess who's getting drunk tomorrow in Montevideo!