the boomer live

Montivideo, docked around 7:30am , bright sunny day, we decided to walk into town and just look around. Tip: Casio Mario has a van which gives free rides into town, stopping at his leather shop first, no obligation. The tourist agency on the dock (also came onboard) has some maps with a nice walking tour indicated, we found it very easy to follow. Takes about 3hrs (depending on how many shops you stop at). Half way thru the walk is Plaza Matriz, there is a flea market there, junk lovers will be in heaven. Examples, 1956 Leica Camera Instruction Book, Moskovich 402 Car Repair Manual. Seriously, I saw some neat stuff on some of the stalls also some antique jewelry. We decided to explore some of the old city (off the suggested walk area) always felt completely safe. Tourist police are scattered throughout the city. We also walked down to La  Rambla (Note: the area of La Rambla included in the walk is a rocky area, if we had wanted to see the beach we would probably have taken a taxi) On the way back we stopped at a couple of art galleries, some very nice work, the artist is often working back. Then we stopped for lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, an old market converted into an area with dozens of restaurants where locals mix with tourists, the restaurants cook Uruguayan beef (also chicken and fish) on open flames, amazing place, amazing smells and atmosphere. Hint: Pick a restaurant where the locals are sitting at the “bar”. We shared a very nice “baby beef” (large steak a bit like NY strip), fries, with a glass of wine and a coke $17. Back to the market to buy a “matte” cup and silver straw (eeets mehican silver mister). Back to the ship by a different route, pretty run down area but the people smile and say bueno dia (sp?). Quick ice tea before Vicki decides on an afternoon nap. I go out on deck to read (a really fabulous sunny day) and I had an appointment with Earl Grey at 4pm. We really liked Montevideo. Note: Most stores have no problem taking $US (small notes to avoid getting a lot of change in U$Pesos) or credit cards, even for small items. Dinner in Discoveries, table 92 looking out of the stern windows watching Montevideo disappear over the horizon and the seagulls following our wake, looking for scraps, to no avail. Great menu tonight we both chose (no salad for Vicki) Escargot, Cream of Onion Soup, Cesar salad, Scallops on potato pancakes with bacon & hollandaise sauce, warm chocolate cake with pistachio ice cream. Wonderful. The show tonight was Yacov Noy a visual comedian, the audience & Vicki seemed to like him, not really my cup of tea. After the show we saw “our” slot machine was vacant, 2 “pulls” and cashed out $22 ahead!