MAte is like pot you can drink in a gourd

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Is my mother reading this? Hola MAMA!

We went to this little town called Colonia in Uruguay. It was the original Buenos Aires in the 18th century and the major trade port for South America and Spain. So the entire old part of the city is surrounded by white-painted cement or stucco walls. The trees all bloom bright fuscia or purple flowers and we stayed at this little Bed and Breakfast called Postada de las Naranjos (Hotel of the Oranges-and there really were orange trees) so you can imagine how beautiful the whole place was.

there's nothing much to do here. Everyone seriously carries around thermoses full of hot water and little gourds for drinking Mate. Which is this strong tea from Brazil. Seriously...EVERYONE carries this stuff around....like their purse. The old Portuguese Museum I went into said, No Pictures, No Smoking, and No Mate.!!!

We ate huge seafood stews at this place called El Drugstore where they prepared the food in an open corner of the restaurant. I felt awful about throwing it away.

And I went CRAZY shopping in Penelope. This store that sold handmade knits and necklaces where the shopgirl was so sweet. I got myself a pearly-white, chenille soft (cant spell, sorry mom!) afghan and also got a few lucky people some souvenirs (okay, really need to learn how to spell. hey! I work in TELEVISION! )

Theres so many french people here. If french people vacation somewhere, you know its good, because they don´t fu&%/(ck around with vacation. they live for it!

Love you all! Thanks for the messages!

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Photos

Uruguay is Beautiful!
Cobble streets and white stone walls everywhere.

Uruguay is Beautiful! and so are the people!
He played while we ate on the street. Of course we had to tip him.

Colonia is old school.
these nice people asked us to take their picture. so i did. with my camera.

Colonia is old school.
Colonia is old school and new school at the same time.

Playing Chess by the water.
These kids made giant chess pieces out of water bottle. talk about recylcying.

These kids are drinking mate!
Mate EVERYWHERE!

From inside the Posada de los Naranjos
Such a nice bed and breakfast. Pool in the back, too.

the Penelope Boutique
The nicest store in Colonia. I cleaned them out of sweaters and necklaces

the Penelope Boutique
The nicest store in Colonia. I cleaned them out of sweaters and necklaces

Comments

[Jessica]

good for you!
Hi Channon, I tried to add a comment before, not sure if it worked. Anyway, the jist of it was that I am so happy you are having such a fabulous time!!! Make sure to have fun and do almost everything you would not do at home.... I'm looking forward to seeing all the pics of hot men (and uh, the beautiful countries too... :) I'm jealous, but I'm off to Mexico myself on the 29th. I miss you and can't wait to hear from you when you return!!! Love, Jessica