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Even after the huuuuuge mistake made at the bus station,  we were so excited to get our feet on the soil that are proud originators of tango, birth place of current Pope Francis, the icon of the people, Evita, and so much more because of this country’s rich history.  

The Obelisco in the center of Buenos Aires stands tall and is at the very end of our street. With a city estimating 13 million people… this makes it larger than New York City!

Our view of the city from the balcony of our hostel.
The hustle and bustle is just getting started;)

As we do with all our 1st days in a new place,  we do a walk around our hostel to understand whats around us. We ran into Saint Ignacio Church.

The inside was more breathtaking than the outside;)

We came upon a march for freedoms going into the center of the city where, not only, the wealthiest people live and work, but where all the city’s decisions are made.

The sky was filled with smoke and the chanting of freedom and dignity for the workers.

I’m not sure we totally agreed with what was happening in front of us, but I loved that this city embraced the right for these people to gather, the right to free speech, gave them a platform, and kept it safe for all. People often take those very rights for granted…and do nothing with them.
Can’t wait to see all that this city has to offer;)

As we happily go through the task of packing up our bags and strapping the, what seems like the weight of a small human, to our backs we kiss Montevideo goodbye and head to the bus station to wait for our transport to Buenos Aires 2 hrs early as instructed to do per our tickets. Ignorance is truly bliss because we were in for a very rude awakening.  We stand in line, present our tickets, and then she said it….your bus leaves at 1:15. We look at each other confused (its 11:15 our tickets say we leave at 1:15) We look at her and ask….whats the problem because her face is telling us something is wrong. She says, “You are early” Confused again we explain that the ticket said to be here early. She then says, your tickets are for 1:15 IN THE MORNING!  Defeated we move along to start what would be a 14 hour wait in a bus station.

2 things to remember while traveling South America:

1.) They work off of military time (we knew that but we just got confused)
1:15= in the morning
13:15= 1:15PM

2.) Get your spanish right before you get here or you might find yourself ready to drop kick the lady behind the food counter who is clearly yelling at you in Spanish because your spanish sucks. I was tired and really reeeeeally trying.

To the lady at California Burrito Company, when I’m done with my time in South America im coming back to Uruguay just so I can yell back at you in spanish;) 

I feel inclined to be completely honest in my blog so as to not paint a dishonest picture of what we are doing or seeing. So let me start with the bad before I get to the beauty in discovering Montevideo.

—HERE GOES. .. I had my first meltdown.  I mean, completely lost it, not rational Val at all, MAJOR MELTDOWN! We arrived at El Viajero Hostel around 1 in the morning after a flight and bus ride….I was tired, hungry, and ready for a shower. I open my bag to discover, what I’m sure every traveler has seen at least once, my shampoo had busted over everything! NOW… there’s nothing to do but clean it up, but I am livid! Now my partner in crime, Jorge, has a front row ticket to the Val meltdown show and he can’t escape it if he wants to…so he’s doing EVERYTHING he can to help me….but I’m soooo mad. Not really at the spilt shampoo but the fact that I was already running low….then I find what I thought might send me flying over the edge. Glass was everywhere. My mirror had broke! After a shower and a few deep breaths I had to return to my dorm, head hanging with embarrassment for the meltdown that had just occurred for SHAMPOO AND A MIRROR (how ridiculous) only to find Jorge sitting there, eyebrows raised, smirk on his face, cautiously asking “You okay?” Soooo funny NOW. …but I honestly was so mad about spilt shampoo;) #travelerissues
Now that its off my chest…. On to Montevideo!!

About a minutes walk from our hostel an outdoor market is taking place with local treasures to be bought;) 

Plaza Indepencia in the center of town

I just thought this church was beautiful!

Everday we get to make this trek back to our hostel down this amazingly picturesque road;)

Aaaaaand of course….its laundry time! Living out of a bag means constant washing and a new found appreciation for washing machines!! But what a rooftop view huh?!?

We started the day out with a train ride and small hike up to the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado. 

Truly deserving the title as one of the 7 Wonders of the World 2014

Once back at the hostel we decided to head out as a group with new friends made at our hostel to Ipanema Beach for a bloco (carnaval samba street party)

Some of us from different parts of the US, Mexico City,  Australia, and England….made for a very fun and rowdy group;)

Impanema Beach is so pretty it looks fake;)
PS…in Rio the boys bathing suits are just as small as the girls;)

As the night for us came to a close…it kinda felt like home as me and the girls decided to buy food and cook back at the hostel. An unbelievable day and night experiencing the sights and sounds of Rio;)

I met this gentleman on the bus going to the beach. He was all too excited to share his stories of his 3 yrs living in the US with me. With his broken English and my infant level of Portuguese…just goes to show you when two people wish to talk…language is rarely an issue;)