Uruguay
Argentina does not have the most strict customs practices in the world. When you come from a first world country, they assume you have a good reason to return to your country eventually. They’re welcoming tourists by the boatload and want them to stay as long as possible. The standard practice here is to receive a tourist visa for 90 days and renew it whenever necessary by traveling to a neighboring country. The other option is to pay U$100, wait in an office for hours, and fight the bureaucracy. Needless to say, I opted for the first option.
For about the same price as the visa renewal fee, I bought 2 boat tickets to Colonia, Uruguay for Vanesa & me. After waiting in line for check-in, waiting in a never-ending line for customs, we left BA at about 11:05–75 minutes late. Such is time in Argentina. We took the fast boat and landed in Colonia in less than 45 minutes.
Colonia is not the most exciting town, but it was sure a nice change from the noise and business of Buenos Aires. The tranquility did my heart good. We took a nice swim in a river inlet area and took in some rays on the beach–which we would later regret given the strength of the sun here. Afterwards, we wandered the cobbled streets, sat and relaxed, and took pictures with Vane’s old-school film camera (I got mine after returning! I’ll post pictures next time I go). Before returning home, we enjoyed sub-standard cuisine at an over-priced restaurant. That’s what being a tourist is all about sometimes. The boat back was the enormous, slow-moving Isabel. The trip was 3 hours and a nice chance for Vanesa to sleep. Being 6′4″, sleep in such confines does not come easily.
After returning to BA, I waited in the girls’ apartment, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my backpack. It was joy and utter disbelief as I laid eyes on the exact same bag I had purchased back in September. The one pic I do have is of Vanesa and me tired and badly sunburned.
