uruguay and argentina bAck January-February 2007 Maya left me with her mum, before she returned to Costa Rica. She asked her to take me to Marisa and Fran, another couple of travellers that travel around, like Maya and Luis. We met at Francia square, where Silvia has a stall with handicrafts that she makes with her own hands. Silvia and Marisa did not know each other so they chatted a bit while I had a look at my new travel companion, she looked very similar to Maya so I was happy and relieved, I think that I realised in my last trip that I really like handicrafts and joggling. Now I have a necklace, a bracelet and piercing. I don't know how long they will last, but so far I'm enjoying them! And as if destiny was taking me once again to visit the interior of Buenos Aires province, but this time towards north, we went to a little village in the countryside, known as Capilla del Seņor, where Marisa's family lives and since it was end of the year, even her sister and nephew came from the United States. I made friends with everybody of course, I'm very fast at that, especially with Yoyo who took me for a ride on this back. I like the countryside, you can breathe the fresh air although sometimes I miss the sea, but I can enjoy the swimming pool instead. new friends!! a building made for my size! Fran's parents live in Punta de Este ALL THE YEAR, I emphasize this because it is a spa in Uruguay which is completely empty in winter. The population increases in summer and in winter the cold drives people away, sometimes temperature drops below zero and they are by the sea! I already knew the place but I was happy to go with them. Maldonado is pretty, also Barra and Jose Ignacio. I liked their beaches and there is so much places to visit, and also spending time with friends that my friends hadn't seen for ages. They treated us reaaaally well... I don need to tell about the sandwiches and the increadible Pecas ice-creams. Well, while my friends were selling their crafts, I enjoy the place, the sun and the ice-creams. Here in Uruguay there are many beaches and the first days here we travelled a bit around since Fran's cousin from Italy and 2 friends were visiting, they took me everywhere they wanted to go. We went once to Las Grutas beach, with huge boulders by the sea where they do paragliding... wow I was thrilled to see them in the sky! They're like birds that glide with the wind. I couldn't understand how. I was realising that humans can fly when Mauricio appeared from the sky. Yeeees! He came paragliding and he explained to me how the whole thing works. He promised to take me with him next time. He goes everywhere but I wouldn't dare to go close to the buildings. To me, the huge buildings are like concrete monsters, that is why I prefered the costa de Rocha, a "department" (that's how they call here the states or provinces of the north) at the border with Brazil. The road from San Carlos is pure countryside, and after them you can see sand dunes. We walked on La Pedrera, La Paloma and even reached Barra de Valizas. I want to come back to see Cabo Polonio, you can walk from Valizas. We met Nico, a juggling friend, who introduced me to Smba: he does not travel yet, but I think he already wants to! rainbow more friends what a beach! a lot of sand Paragliding! With my diabolo at the beach Juggling! Wonderful night... I also went to las llamadas en Montevideo, which is the carnival here. There are dancers, men and women, with big flags, and people dressed in costumes, they dance on the street following the rhythm of the drums. I was impressed to see a man whose hands were bleeding due to so much drumming... He was still smiling and singing. I'm enjoying myself a lot! I wish you could all get to know Uruguay some day and its beaches in summer. carnival! more carnival! colour... and rythm!! la la la la everybody dances!   -->