Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.

Yesterday we did a large part of the old town walking tour in about an hour (we even stopped a few times and took some detours - it's a small, small town).

a lookout point along the shore

fortressing

Calle de los Suspiros ("Street of Sighs") - original Portuguese cobblestones and home fronts

modern lighthouse, ancient convent ruins

I really have no idea

In the afternoon we decided to wander along the river/beachfront.

At the end of our easterly wandering we came across the old bullfighting ring...

... then headed back west to town through side streets. The neighborhoods were fascinating - ranches next to concrete run-down structures next to colonial beauties next to architectural anomalies.

I never would have expected to see ranch homes. And in between the houses were auto shops, produce stands and frankfurter restaurants. (Why are hot dogs so big here? Inquiring minds want to know...) No neighborhood zoning requirements, apparently.

After a late lunch I headed back to my (blessedly empty!) dorm at the hostel and Kim went to her b&b (think sharing a bathroom with 14 grungy boys finally did her in).

Kim's lunch

Jen's lunch

It's been raining for about 12 hours with no end in sight. Really feels like fall and I am loving it - it will be so weird to go back to summer, sunrises before 7:30am, green trees and wildflowers blooming.

We'll try the museums this morning (which I am guessing might take all of 30 minutes) and then head to the ferry station for Jen's fifth and final take on Buenos Aires...