El Primer Dia en Montevideo

Understandably, you have to the leave the first day for some jet lag adjustment. But still, the day was worth mentioning.

I arrived at the airport in Montevideo around 11:20 and, after getting my bags and what not, I found an awesome elderly gentleman named Jose who drove me to my apartment. I was nervous about speaking with him at first but I warmed up to conversation and we talked about weather, Japanese cars, Montevideo, and the downfalls of McDonald's.

Then I hung out at the apartment with my host brother, Mauro. We had nunes papas (mashed potatoes) and something-or-other pollo (fried chicken) for lunch. Delicious. We sat down to some televised news and sports reports. Soccer, of course, is a big deal in Uruguay and Mauro filled me in on his favorite stadium here in Montevideo.

My host mom got back from work at 4 pm and I spent some time speaking with her, exchanging a few gifts from the states, and asking her a few questions about life in Uruguay.

My body is begging for more sleep but I shall not give in. Jet lag has nothing on me.

Travel Tip #3:
Take it all in slow on the first day. A country can look one way through an air port window and an entirely different way on the street sidewalks. Enjoy a short walk (rectangular loops if you're sense of adventure outweighs your sense of direction), speak the language but don't expect to be sharing life stories, chill out, and smile (universal language the savior).