Wandering Around the World

Hey Everyone,

After the hectic life that was Brazil we´ve now made it to Uraguay and we´re staying in Montevideo for Sarah´s 23rd - Nov 30th.

Blinkin´ heck the last few days have been interesting. After Porte Alegre we took a rather plush overnight bus across the border into Uraguay. The leather reclining seats, comfy pillows weren´t the best bits. Just as Sarah was nodding off one of the coach crew came around with mini dinners of club sanries, mini quiches, swiss roll and either pepsi and wine. Plus there was a DVD in English to watch. All was going smoothly until we had to wake up at 4.30am to get off the bus.

Assumming there´d be a cambio "exchange" at the border we had to wrangle with the night security to swap our us dollars for Pesos. They offered what they thought was half the exchange rate but ended up only being a 2 pounds off the right amount. As the sun was rising we caught a coach down to a tiny half dead seaside village called Punte Diablo.As the tourist season hadn´t really started yet we tried the only place that was open at 7.30am, the International Hostel cum tourist information. Unfortunately they were fully booked as a group of 90 poeple were coming for the weekend. Luckily the bloke at the tourist info had his own hostel down the road that he opened up for us. So all was sorted in the end.

The next day we shook the sand from our feet and headed back to the border to get some more money and then the coach further down the coast to La Paloma. After a bit of a wander in La Paloma we stumbled across the campsite we were looking for as it had rave reviews in the Bible *SA lonely planet guide* We were seriously impressed with the our new home for the next few days - brilliant hot showers, 3mins to the beach and an outside kitchen with sink and BBQ area. We certainly made the most of the BBQ as some Americans, who left after the first day, gave us some lighter fluid,charcoal and a grill. The local supermarket didn´t dissappoint either with gorgeous beef cutlets, 50p for 3, and 5 chunky chorizo sausages for less than a pound. The weather was brilliant too and morning walks on the beach seeing cowboys training horses was amazing.

We left La Paloma this morning and within a couple of hours we arrived in the Capital of Uraguay - montevideo. From what we´ve seen so far it´s a cracking city, Sarah´s been round most of the arts and crafts markets already and the food is cheap and dead tasty. I´m sure we´ll get the chance to induldge ourselves tomorrow for a celebratory meal followed by a drink or too. Tonight we´re off to the irish pub for some live music. It starts off at 23.00 so looks like a late one¡

take care and keep warm - is a chilly 22 degrees

Lucas and Sarah

PS sorry for any problems with the photos. Am going to upload them to an online gallery soon so will keep you all updated.

PPS feel free to drop us an e-mail as internet access is free in the hostel we´re staying in red hostel