Backpacking South America

Rivera is a long detour from the well worn traveler’s path through Uruguay, but it was where we could relax and celebrate the holidays with friendly and familiar faces. My good friend Katie’s parents live in Rivera, Uruguay. So, of course, we’re on the same continent so we just had to see them. Please, we have all the time in the world. They graciously hosted us for Christmas and allowed us to stay as long as we wanted. Emily, her sister, was visiting after completing a semester in Buenos Aires. We felt so lucky to be welcomed into their home.

We had a great time in Rivera. It is small, but not so small, town directly north of Montevideo in Uruguay (about a 6 hour bus ride), but on the border with Brazil – which is why the locals call it the “frontera.” Upon arriving in Rivera, we decided to drive on the Brazil side of the border, because we could. For an American to cross into Brazil, they must secure a visa and pay an entrance fee or $130, which is a reciprocal fee that America charges Brazilians. (Note: this is the case when flying into Argentina now).

If you read our Christmas post you would know that we are in Rivera, Uruguay and spent the holidays with friends.  It was a wonderful week (plus one day) and a perfect place to regroup and recharge for the road that lies ahead.

It wasn’t your typical Christmas.  We woke up to 80 degree weather, managed to make some good Brazilian coffee, just in time for the electricity to shut off.  No, we didn’t have a turkey in the oven, nor were we without heat, but we were down a few fans, a breeze and a refrigerator holding food for 14 people (5 of us and 9 guests).  We banned anyone from opening the fridge until the electricity switched back on – as a power outage wasn’t uncommon.   Please keep in mind, Rivera is on the “frontier,” that is that it is on the border with Brasil.

We had good brazilian coffee and food.  We decided to just wait this out.  We were told the electricity goes out during a storm, but there had been no storm.  So, we just waited, sipped coffee, hoping the electricity would kick back on any minute.

We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We miss all our friendsand family very dearly and hope that you are spending this holiday seasonwith the people you love.

So you may wonder what we are doing for Christmas. Well, after a 3 hour boat ride to Colonia, Uruguay and a week at the beach in La Paloma, we have arrived in Rivera, Uruguay, on the border of Brasil (which we have crossed over to on several occasions), to spend a week at the ever so generous Falk compound (dear friends of ours from the states). We arrived on Sunday and have been given the grand tour of Rivera. It has been a very special visit for us as it is so very special to spend Christmas with such good friends when so far away from home. We have settled in nicely, now if only there was snow. There will be more to come on our stay in Rivera and our travels through Uruguay, so stay tuned.

We’re alive and doing very well. We’re still best friends and aren’t tired of each other yet. We’ve learned A LOT and lost a little.