[Paisleychick-lj] La Paloma, Uruguay

[Beatrice M's blog]

[![][1]][2]   
[Hibiscus flowers on our towels][3]   
Originally uploaded by [blmurch][4]. 

We arrived here in La Paloma on Monday afternoon, taking a three hour bus trip east from Montevideo. La Paloma is a quiet beach tourist destination on the east coast of Uruguay. I am listening to the waves of the Atlantic crash down with the scent of marijuana wafting in the air as the teenagers walk by. Reminds me very much of Bolinas and Stinson Beach combined, and not just because of the pot. The main "industry" here is tourism and it is summer and yet this place is not packet so it is very enjoyable to be here.  
  


[![][5]][6]   
[New Journal][7]   
Originally uploaded by [blmurch][4]. 

I find that I am handwriting my journal entries more and more than just writing them on the computer. I used to only "be able" to write lj posts when I was sitting in front of my computer, whereas now I like to physically write them down. Plus, it gives me a chance to edit a bit when I transcribe. I filled up my little [moleskin][8] journal and tried for a couple of weeks to find another one here in Uruguay and in Buenos Aires, but I couldn't find what I wanted. Everywhere sells "agendas", but I don't want a date book, I want a sewed-bound journal that I can fit in my purse. I finally broke down and bought one today when I found one I could live with. I also found my favorite pens - Uni-ball rollers (fine point). I bought three: blue, black and red. Yay!  
  
I am finding that when I'm online, I am spending more time on [Flickr][9] than on [Livejournal][10], so please let me know if there is anything important I might have missed from [my friends' page][11] in the past couple of weeks.  
  


[![][12]][13]   
[Getting my toes wet][14]   
Originally uploaded by [blmurch][4]. 

Today is the first perfect beach day we have had here. The sky is a beautiful blue with nary a cloud, the breeze is a soft caress to cool the sun's rays and I'm sure the water is a crisp shock. I stuck my toes in the water yesterday and it was cold. I have been in the Pacific Ocean in Peru, the Caribbean Sea in Venezuela, and now the Atlantic here in Uruguay. I didn't venture into the Rio do la Plata earlier as it wasn't inviting.  
  
Our plans are so fluid, it is a bit frustrating; we change our minds daily. But, it is also nice to be so un-tied down. We do have plans to be back in Buenos Aires towards the end of the month. We got an offer we couldn't refuse to hotel-sit for a family friend for three months until they are ready to take full possession of the hotel and get it up and running. So, we will have a place to say - for free no less - for three months in Palermo. I'm very excited by this.  
  


[![][15]][16]   
[Proper Yerba Mate packing][17]   
Originally uploaded by [blmurch][4]. 

People have had fun laughing at my [mate preparing/pouring techniques][18]. I finally got a proper lesson this afternoon from Stefano, a waiter here at the hotel's restaurant. I got another lesson in the store I bought that journal from. I wasn't using enough mate and I was moving the _bombilla_ around too much. Then, I wasn't pouring the refill water in the right way. It is truly an art and a tradition. I feel a bit like when I wore a sari to an Indian wedding of friends of ours in the Valley and the Indian women shook their heads at my attempt and then helped me out. Hey, at least I am trying. =) Okay, enough writing - time to cool off in the water!!!  


   [1]: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/383378665_daaaf9efa0_m.jpg
   [2]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383378665/ (Hibiscus flowers on our towels)
   [3]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383378665/
   [4]: http://www.flickr.com/people/blmurch/
   [5]: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/185/383441346_7ad9af1d23_m.jpg
   [6]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383441346/ (New Journal)
   [7]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383441346/
   [8]: http://www.moleskineus.com/pocket.html
   [9]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/
   [10]: http://paisleychick.livejournal.com/
   [11]: http://paisleychick.livejournal.com/friends/
   [12]: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/146/383403495_8f33098e33_m.jpg
   [13]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383403495/ (Getting my toes wet)
   [14]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383403495/
   [15]: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/383435816_8acf3ff257_m.jpg
   [16]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383435816/ (Proper Yerba Mate packing)
   [17]: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/383435816/
   [18]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)

URL: http://paisleychick.livejournal.com/294974.html