Day ... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

A good day and super, freaking tired 😫

Had coffee and an alfajor at Alfajores Cafe con mi amiga Judy and a photo with Luis Suarez:

It was really hot today, I think 30⁰C. I'm really liking Montevideo though. The people are so friendly, it's a bit like Milwaukee in that random people will say hello (buen dia o buenos dias) and when you are apologizing (disculpeme o lo siento) the response is often por favor (please). Also, cars are so respectful of pedestrians!

Riding the bus is somewhat of an adventure. I'm using the moovit app and it's pretty good. It cost $49UY ($1.22US) to ride for an hour unless you take the nicer bus for $73UY ($1.82IS).

A strategy I've discovered by watching the locals is to plant myself near the rear exit. The buses can be extremely crowded so being near an exit means fewer bodies to wade through to get out. I found that out last night when I missed my stop due to the crowding. But the buses here are also a mobile event site where musicians, vendors, and actors climb on the bus and perform, sell, or tell jokes. It's awesome:

This evening I went by myself to the Museo Juan Blanes exhibit because it was a new show. I went solo because everyone else was going to a tango thing. What I did not realize what that it was invitation only 😢 I was bummed after the 40 minute, crowded, hot and humid bus ride I was refused entry 🫤

I noticed a family standing nearby and they also were refused. We all stood around and a young man from the group approached me and asked if I spoke English! Yep, says I, and he asked me what happened. I related my disappointment and he said, "Well, my family just got an invite from my sister who works here and my parents want to know if you would like to join as our guest?" ❤️ Montevideo 🥹 These people are so nice 🫶🏼

Well the exhibit was about reclaimed items used to make practical things to use (chairs, baskets, stools, etc.). It was cool but I went to see Blanes paintings 🤣 Still the kindness from the Uruguayan people made the whole thing very memorable:

About Uruguayan Spanish: they have a different way of pronouncing y and the ll. The Spanish I know pronounces the word 'yo' as, well, yo. In Uruguay it is pronounced 'show'. So people will self-refer as 'Uruguay-sha' or 'Uruguay-show' depending on who's talking. And the 'll' sound as in 'llamo' I know as 'ya-mo' is 'sha-mo'. They also use vos y vosotros so it's messing me up a little bit.

Ok chicos, I have an early start tomorrow and Saturday I'm touring Estadio Centenario!!! Hasta proxima ❤️