Colonia Roks! <-- The name of a bar I went to in Colonia Uruguay over the weekend. A small, quiet town, right across the river from BA, not much to do but very relaxing. We stayed in a very nice “Hotel Italiano” - comfortable, cute (in a small Dutch Bed & Breakfast sort of way), heated indoor pool! (Remember its winter down here, 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit-ish). We came over in a “Buquebus,” basically a floating airplane - all the seats and décor were like an airplane, but... it was a boat. Quite interesting, but comfy enough, no complaints here. Had a tour when we got there, was nice and rainy. Delicious dinner that night - Lomo in Mushroom sauce and a half bottle of wine (mostly before dinner... whew! was I feelin’ it). Went to a bar a local recommended, packed! I walked in, made eye contact with guy I thought I knew from the residencia (there was another group of study abroad students, from a diff program, in Colonia that weekend as well), being slightly intoxicated and very happy, I walked up to him and gave him a big hug! He was pretty tipsy too and we were just laughin, then I realized I didn’t actually know the guy! But its okay we introduced ourselves and turns out he was with the other group anyways, and I knew some of the people he was with, though the ones I didn’t thought I was gay, lol. Went back to my GT peeps after a bit, Vicky and I split a Speed and Vodka drink, tequila shots, feelin’ good! Hung out there for a while longer, great music, got even more packed, a great bar! We left for a boliche (dancing club). Was not even 1 am, nobody there. Started picking up around 2. Left by about 4. Went back to the hotel, asked for a wake up call at 9 (breakfast ends at 10), drank lots of water, felt fine in the morning. Wake up call. Roll over. Was a little late for breakfast. Good food though. Went down to the beach by myself - so peaceful and beautiful! Got some great Nature Channel looking photos and videos of a line of Carpenter Ants. Read for Monday classes. Played fetch with bowser, a beautiful, friendly, incredibly smart dog I met on the beach. Went to a market with Dillon and Johnnie, back to the hotel, read some more on the roof of the hotel, ice cream, buquebus to BA! A nice, relaxing weekend. This is my last week before I head off to Brasil (Saturday!), it’s gone so fast! I am excited about Brasil though for sure.
Oh ya, I got robbed! On the Subte (subway). It was packed, I had my wallet in my front pocket but my hands, holding my notebook, were over my head because it was so tight. Once we got on, I told my friend Ryan to make sure he put his bookbag in front so no one stole anything. A minute later I reached into my front pocket to hold onto my wallet... nothing there! How ironic. Ryan says he saw a girl get on with us, squeeze right past both of us, and get off on the next sto - a big huge hassle for her, crossing through tons of people, just to go one stop - somewhat conspicuous. But then again I coulda just dropped it. Wasn’t a huge deal. Had 80 pesos (about 26 US) in there and two credit cards. Got both of them cancelled right away, no extra charges, will have my BoA visa-backed debit card waiting for me at the front desk of the hotel in Brasil when I get there on Saturday. I had some US dollars back in my room, just converted a bit to pesos for the rest of this week. Driver’s license, Buzz card, Diver’s card - all easily replaceable. Insurance cards - I’ve got photocopies. Wallet - a sentimental gift from my sister several years ago that I really loved, oh well. The pictures - sigh. Overall, no biggie. Crazy Buenos Aires! I learned my first lesson, hopefully there won’t be too many more, haha :)
Ciao guys! Love you! :) -Derek
