My last day in Montevideo

My last day of Montevideo, Uruguay. It’s hard to believe. I woke up this morning for my last time to watch Dawson’s Creek at 10 a.m. over breakfast. I am hooked to that tv series now. I think I may ask for it as a present for my birthday next month.

The past few days while Jasmine and Jo have been leaving have been long, and at the same time short. Today after breakfast and packing up a little I went to have lunch with my coworkers. Every 29th of the month Uruguayans eat gnoccis. It’s the only day they are allowed to have this pasta. It was potato in the middle. It’s very good. I couldn’t eat all of mine, but my old boss decided to eat any that I had left. It would never fly in the states for a 60 year-old boss to reach over and eat your leftovers. Hilarious.

After lunch we went back to the office and took last pictures. They were all sad to see me go. One of them told me that she had always thought that North Americans were rude, cold and distant until I came along. Hearing that made my entire trip worthwhile. I was sad to tell Florencia and Valentina bye. My boss gave me a letter of completion and said that if I needed a reccomendation I could let him know anytime.
Florencia has a house at Punta del Diablo, my fav place in Uruguay. Like everyone else in this country, they told me to come back in the summer. After seeing them I was really sad and I talked to Maria for awhile. She told me that many of her past tenants have returned and I could do the same. Then she said the same thing about making sure that I come back in the summer. At least I know Valentina is coming to San Antonio at some point so I can come see her. I will still be e-mailing all my coworkers too.

Yesterday I walked around to the stadium where I have seen 2 soccer games. I never knew it before, but it is where the first World Cup game took place. That night I watched the high schoolers from the school put on a Uruguayan play in Spanish and then went home to pack the rest of the night. At least I got most of my packing done.

After lunch with my coworkers I walked along the Rambla (along the beach) with Kendall. It is sad that I will not be so close to the sea very soon. I really cannot believe that I will not be here at the same time tomorrow. It is time that I leave, but at the same time I am sad to go. I will miss the incredibly slow pace of life here and the fact that since it’s winter everyone just sits around. I am glad to not be a white ghost anymore after I tan, but I will miss it here. I will miss it a lot.