Over our noqui lunch, Romina and Mariela invited me to stay in each of their apartments when I arrived in Montevideo later that week.

Remember, this was the weekend and they were both headed back to their apartments in Montevideo for the week — it’s like they headed to the shore for the weekend.

I told them I had no problem staying in a hostel yet they each insisted I stay with them. I took both their numbers and emails and we agreed that I would send an email when I knew my plan and the day that I’d be heading back to Montevideo.

I was overwhelmed by their generosity and excited to see Montevideo through the eyes of locals.

Would you think twice about inviting this solo backpacker into your home? They didn’t even bat an eye and insisted I meet them.

We left lunch and walked towards a shop that sold bus tickets. En route, we ran into Esteban, from the hostel. He was heading towards the hostel to report for his shift. We told him that I would be heading back that way too and if he’d come with us for the bus tickets, I could head back with him, rather than on my own, since the girls were going right back to the beach.

He agreed and the four of us headed towards a shop that sold tickets in order to buy my onward ticket to Cabo Polonia.

Once I had my ticket, I said goodbye to Romina and Mariela knowing I would see them in a few days in Montevideo. Esteban and I headed back on a main road that I hadn’t seen prior.

It was paved!!! A paved road!!

He asked if I minded hitchhiking. I thought about it for half a second and said sure.

Sorry mom and dad. It was really hot, Esteban said it was a few kilometers and I needed to ensure I had enough time to grab my bags, find a place to stay (wishful thinking) and make my way back to the ‘bus’ stop.

Esteban tried waving down other cars but no luck – breathe easy, mom and dad – we walked the rest of the way.

Our night ended sometime around 4.30. It took us a while to get back to the hostel.

We walked home from the bars via the beach. The only way Romina knew how to get back was by following the ocean. It was windy and freezing and I was exhausted nad all I wanted was a warm bed!

I’d eventually get into bed at nearly 5am, but I don’t recall it being very warm.

We awoke a few hours later and had a lovely breakfast before heading to the beach for the day.

The question that had me puzzled and continues to puzzle me. How do Argentines and Uruguayans eat late and stay out late yet get up early and function?

The answer still eludes me.

When Romina introduced Mariela and I to people around the bar, everyone I met was so friendly and eager to talk to me.

I found that many people wanted to practice their English with me, which was so great. Especially because up until now, I found that many people were hesitant to speak English with a native speaker. I guess alcohol loosens everyone up with their language skills, including me!

It was great fun listening to places in the States people wanted to visit, or ask about, or tell me where they had family living. New York is a popular place!

The other thing people kept asking me was, with a bit of disbelief, ‘Why are you here?’

Was it because they don’t think Americans travel? Was it because Americans don’t ge around to these parts?

The chef from the hostel met us out later and introduced us around to his friends.

After bar hopping on the main (only) street, I firmly believe after all of those introductions, I was the only person not from the continent out that night.

I may have failed to mention it was cold out. We were close to the ocean and even in jeans and a fleece, I was chilly.

Romina and Mariela went back to the room to freshen up. I had limited attire, and I was freezing, so I stayed as is.

Now it was nearly 1am, and I was comfortable in my jeans, tank and fleece. And ladies, I even had my Keens on.

I was cold and I didn’t know what to expect and for some reason, I didn’t even think to at least put flip flops on.

We headed out. The three of us were in jeans and tanks. The difference, and why I felt so dorky, was that they had cardigans and nice sandals. I was in a fleece and hiking shoes.

We were in a small, casual beach town that screamed of flip flops, jeans and tanks.

What I quickly learned was that some girls didn’t care what the temperature was! All the bars we went to were outside or open-air and some of these girls were barely dressed!

We ordered pitchers of beer, and since the music was so loud, dancing is a universal language! Yes, even in my Keens.

From Mom

Hi,

Just writing to let you know we are thinking of you.  Hope all is well.  Hope to speak or hear from you soon!!!  Take pictures and love you, love you, love you.

Be safe, stay well and enjoy.

Love you,

Mom

To Mom (Sent with spotty internet – I had no idea how long it would be up for. This is exactly how I wrote it – no caps, no chit chat, no nothing!)

google la pedrera that’s where i am tonight

google punta del este thats where i was last night

google cabo polonia thats where im going in a few days. no electricity at night there.miss you too. everything okay? no wifi so no skype til a few days.

talk soon. ciao.

From Mom

OK, so we see you are touring the beaches.  However, this Cabo Polonia has a population of 72, no access by roads…

You have to hike the dunes or take a 4×4. Water is gotten from a well and no electric. WHY are you going there????

PLEASE be CAREFUL!!!!!  Where are you staying when you get there?????  Only 72 people live there.

What happened to Montevideo????

Are you in hostels in Punte del Este and in La Pedrera?

Send pictures and your flight home please.

Mom

***

I have been away less than a week and she already wants my return flight information?!

So many questions and I didn’t know how long my internet connection would last. I left her wondering since I didn’t check email in time to get this one before I headed to Cabo Polonia and no electricity!

Romina, Mariela and I split a bottle of red in the backyard and got to know one another. We talked about culture, countries, language and of course, traveling!

Romina spoke English and Spanish, Mariela’s English was probably better than my Spanish, but she hesitated to speak English. So Romina did a lot of translating!

Romina translated where necessary, but the two girls were away for the weekend and I didn’t want to interrupt with questions and make Romina do so much work. So I listened and tried to figure it out.

Thankfully, my Spanish got better (or so I thought) with each sip of wine.

Romina and Mariela treated me like an old friend and I had known them all of two hours. We hung out in the backyard with the other guests for a few hours as we waited for dinner but the three of us stuck closely together.

Dinner was served around 11. We had an amazing homecooked meal, with another bottle of wine. I felt like I was out with my own friends at home! We finished dinner and continued to chat in the dining room. When I saw that it was nearly 12.30 I mistakenly thought we’d head to bed soon.

But the night was just beginning.