Huracándombe: Re-Enactments, Pilsen, Orientation, Churros

I'm doing a really poor job of keeping up with things here, which makes what should be a simple post something more substantial. Oh well...

From April 16-19, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB or BID), held its annual meeting in Montevideo. In many ways, the city totally changed; most noticeably through an increase in the number of police patrolling Ciudad Vieja (where I live). Perhaps the most surreal change in this part of the city happened on the 16th, as Plaza Matriz, also called Plaza Constitución, was "dressed up" to appear as it might have looked during the early 1900s. This included what appeared to be a ceremony for San Baltasar, featuring a small cuerda of tambores, some dancers, and Eduardo da Luz singing.

I should mention that joining me on this night was Megan and my other Fulbright "classmate," Kate, who I had only met a few hours before all this was happening. Pretty much everything I've done since the 16th has included these two.

Megan and Kate (on right), and Lilieth, a friend of Megan's,
outside La Pasiva enjoying a Chopp.

So the very next night was St. Patrick's Day. I think this is actually the first year ever I've celebrated this holiday. There was no green beer, only lots of Pilsen. It was a true Uruguayan late night out...

A little blurry, but I'm sure that's how we
were seeing things.

The 20th through 22nd was Fulbright Orientation. Finally, I know what I'm doing here. In all seriousness, it was an interesting few days, and I'm glad I got to be a part of it, even when I couldn't totally understand what was going on (like the session on the Uruguayan economy). But touring Teatro Solís was awesome, as was learning more about Plan Ceibal, which provides laptops to every student and teacher in Uruguay.

On the 23rd, all of the Fulbrighters hung out at Megan's place, and it was cool to see everyone out of the "office." I was also excited to hear that two of the English Teaching Assistant's (ETAs) met Rodrigo, the landlord at a place called U-house. I had also checked this place out in my first week in Montevideo, but decided it wasn't for me when Rodrigo sat me down in the bar upstairs and said, "Cliff brother, this is where the magic happens." It was just like that, English and all.