Hola Chicos,

Spending our Christmas for the second time in Uruguay is going to be great. While its rather cold, snowy, rainy, and not so great in other parts of the globe I am rubbing it in by saying the weather here for the most part is rather nice. Sunny with a slight breeze and a cool warmth during the late evenings.

Already the fire works have begun and just last week there was a big show on the Rambla (board walk with a river that has sand but not a beach). And for the past couple of days there have been locals displaying their fury of fire works which keep us up all night to the early morning.

I especially appreciate the summer bounty of fruits and vegetables. The cherry tomatoes and strawberries are bright red and packed with flavor that my other half and I eat it as is.

It gets rather slow during the holidays in Uruguay. I mean “slow” is a word that is used to describe Montevideo, Uruguay even by the local Uruguayan people. But I’d say its even slower if that can possibly exists during the months of December through mid February.

Most of the locals go to the Eastern part of Uruguay (which is only a few hours away) and Montevideo becomes still. Many restaurants close down for the holidays as well as local shops. But the larger chains stay open so don’t worry, you wont miss out.

I found that there is a slight eeriness with a hint of old Europe romance during the months of December through mid February. Most of the locals that have stayed behind are much older so it really intensifies the charm of the Spanish influenced homes and broken brick and cobble stone streets.

One can get lost with a simple walk around the block in the Punta Caretas neighborhood. Tall old, and green brightly colored trees line most of the streets in this lovely little neighborhood.

Old ladies walk hand in hand with their families dressed as if they were just transported back from the 40s and 50s. Long simple cotton dresses, thin wool sweaters, with frayed sleeves, and a hat covering their faces. Men dressed in slacks, bow ties, wool vests, and simple cotton shirts and kangaroo hats.

This second Christmas will be just our little family, my other half, our puppy, and my self. I think it will be awesome.

Ciao,

Odeliza Jacoba