Montevideo and Buenos Aries

Montevideo, Uruguay -- big bbq country. At the center town plaza we strolled into a large area like a food court, which was a converted train station imported from England. Inside were different vendors who each had a big wood fire making charcoal with a big huge grill. As the burning wood turned to charcoal the chute was opened to let the coals go under the grill. The meats were kidney, brain, blood sausage, pork, chicken, beef - all different cuts -- all placed on the grill ready for the coals. The big meal of the day was lunch, and this place fed probably 2,000 people who all ate mostly meat with a few french fries. In fact, it's not unusual for a meat dish to be eaten twice a day. Didn't notice any lettuce. And we were afraid to try it.
Instead we ordered our newly acquired drink of choice (for the boys) - Crystal Beer. As we were drinking our beer we took a look at the menu. Four of the choices (right in a row) were: rabbit, otter, boar, and one we can't remember but equally unusual. Next YC dinner meeting, maybe we should find a recipe for otter, -- I understand there may be otters in the lagoon now.

Buenos Aries, Argentina -- Very large town of 13 million, (perhaps a city) most who live in apartments downtown. This city has no cars in the downtown streets. We were given a map and we took a walking tour. Pedestrians clearly had the right of way even when there were cars. Florida street is the Chen-zee-le-zay, Paris, of Buenos Aries. We walked for 3 hours on the same street stopping to window shop and purchase items we couldn't do without. The temperature was 86 degrees with 99.9% humidity. In fact, it started to sprinkle when we started back to the ship. A few minutes later there was a full blown, very windy, thunderstorm. The ship stopped accepting passengers and closed the gangway. The sternthrusters were keeping the ship against the dock in case the lines parted for a 1/2 hour. People couldn't get off or on. The storm passed; passengers boarded; we departed for Rio about 7:30; an hour late.

Nice day today at sea. Nothing exciting happening. We're watching a professional Tango couple dance the Argentenian Tango.

More tomorrow, our last day on the ship.
BMK Travellers