Our Mini-break to Uruguay

We decided to visit Uruguay since it was only a short ferry ride from Buenos Aires over the Rio de la Plata. Having heard about Colonia del Sacramento, we were delighted to be able to visit there. We were blessed to find a cute Airbnb that was within walking distance of the old town district.

The afternoon we arrived was nice and sunny, so we immediately dropped off our suitcases in our room and headed out to explore. We were not disappointed. The whole city is a quaint, cobblestone, tree-lined city with old ruins of houses that were once Portuguese-owned. The city lies along the world’s widest river, named Rio de la Plata, and there are still stone walls along the shoreline and in the city center with cannons. There is a drawbridge over the moat at an old city gate that is very picturesque. The history of this fortified city is rich, having been ruled by the Spanish, Portuguese, and British at various times throughout its past.

We found a pretty little restaurant that had seating along the shoreline and found it made a perfect place to view the sunset as we ate our vegetarian pizza. The non-rushed ambiance of the place and the friendly greeting from the owner allowed for great relaxation. The city was well-lit as we strolled along the shoreline back to our room. We needed our light jackets as the wind picked up and escorted us home. A few other people were out as we started to notice that, like many southern countries, most places don’t open until 7 pm, and stay open until late at night.

We were pleasantly surprised to find an SDA church very near our place. In fact, we walked to it on Sabbath morning. It was a pretty little church with very sweet folks. Again, we noticed that English was not commonly spoken there, but with broken Spanish & English, we had a lovely time visiting after church. We didn’t realize that we had sat by the pastor’s wife, but it was beneficial to us as she helped to translate the sermon (with a phone app) for us and helped us find our Bible verses. There was one small child there, but he had his children’s story and came up front all by himself. He actually seemed quite pleased to have that extra attention solely on him. After church, he was quite curious about us and wanted to know what his name was in English. We told Esteban he would be called Steven. Several members of the church told us that it was quite common for Argentinians to visit Colonia del Sacramento as the two countries view each other as brothers.

When we were in Argentina, we heard about a traditional drink called mate, which is an interesting and important tradition. During our stay in Argentina, we didn’t see too much evidence of mate, except for seeing the cups and thermos in the stores. Now, in Colonia, we saw many folks running around with the tell-tale thermos and cup tucked under their arms.

Mate is a traditional hot drink that is popular in Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, and parts of Brazil. It is made by steeping yerba mate leaves in hot water and is typically served in a gourd (also called a mate) and drunk through a metal straw (called a bombilla). Mate has a long and rich history and is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of South America. It is believed to have originated with the indigenous Guarani people who traditionally used it for medicinal purposes. Later on, the Spanish colonizers introduced the gourd and metal straw to the region, which is now commonly used to drink mate.

Drinking mate is a social activity that is often enjoyed with friends and family. Traditionally, it is drunk from a shared gourd and passed around among a group of people. The person who prepares the mate, known as the cebador, fills the gourd with yerba mate leaves and hot water. They then drink the first serving of the mate through the straw to ensure that the temperature and consistency are correct. After the first serving, the cebador refills the gourd with water and passes it to the next person in the group. Each person drinks the mate completely before passing it back to the cebador, who refills it and passes it to the next person. The gourd is typically shared among a small group of friends or family members, and the process of preparing and sharing mate is a social and bonding experience. Mate is consumed without any additional sweeteners or flavorings, although some people may choose to add sugar or herbs like mint to the drink. It is typically served hot, although it can also be prepared cold (known as tereré) on hot summer days. Mate is commonly offered as a sign of hospitality and can be found in many public places, including parks and plazas. We witnessed this being extremely popular in Uruguay.

The brightly painted houses, stores, and restaurants that line the cobblestone streets create a picturesque scene that transports you back in time.

Colonia is a historic city in Uruguay, located on the northeastern bank of the Rio de la Plata River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and rich history. Colonia’s Barrio Histórico, or historic quarter, features colorful houses, museums, churches, and fortifications that showcase its Portuguese and Spanish influences.

The city offers attractions such as a historic lighthouse, museums, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant arts and crafts scene. Easily accessible from Buenos Aires, Colonia is a popular day trip or weekend getaway for its peaceful ambiance and colonial charm.

During the day, it is equally enchanting, as the town’s colonial architecture and well-preserved landmarks offer a glimpse into Uruguay’s rich history and culture.

Our mini-break came to an end quickly, and we found ourselves packing up and heading toward the ferry back to Argentina, where we would fly out to Asuncion, Paraguay. We were ready for our next adventure.