Angelina's Travels

Week one in Montevideo of four has come and gone. One of the fastest weeks of my trip so far! I arrived last Sunday and met my host mom Maria. She is fantastic! A wonderful host, cook and friend. I feel so lucky to stay with her. My room is comfortable and my house is only five blocks from the school.

I started classes the next day, Monday and tested into the advanced class. My biggest struggle is getting over my fear of speaking (which I didn't have a fear with Portuguese...) and also using Spanish instead of Portuguese. (muito legal, viu!) I have two teachers, one for grammer and one for conversation. I am finding my conversation outside of the classroom is much more helpful in coming out of my shell.

Tuesday Samuel came from Punta del Este to show Charlie around while I was in class. We met up for lunch and I saw a bit of the central and ciudad vieja. Wednesday after class, Charlie and I went on a horseback riding adventure at a small estancia outside of Montevideo with the school. It was very tranquil and showed us a small part of the countryside. I hope to do another estancia visit before I leave Uruguay.

We returned to the homestay and participated ina family dinner of gnocchi. It is a Uruguayan tradition to eat gnocchi as a family on the 29th of each month. It is also a tradition to put money under your plate, and make three wishes with the first three pieces of gnocchi you eat. We had a great visit with Maria, her daughter Antonia, Antonia's husband Pablo and their son Phillipe. We finished the night off with super dulce de leche ice cream (I have become a bit addicted, and don't want to talk about it!). Maria is SO great at cooking and I appreciate her changing up her meat cooking to wonderful vegetarian meals!

Thursday and Friday after class, Charlie and I walked the city getting to know different areas and figuring out the bus sustem. We met up with students from the school and met a few couchsurfing hosts that live here in Uruguay. It was a fun night with a few Caiparinhas... another habit that is full of sugar!

This weekend Charlie myself and three other students are off to Piriapolis and Punta del Este to see what the east coast has to offer. We are looking forward to our adventure outside of Montevideo!

Chau for now!

Angelina