Sunday, February 12, 2012
El Cumple de Jake - 27 años
Th 2.9.12
- gave Jake first part of his birthday gift: a yummy strawberry cupcake from Sweet O'Clock (random cute little bakery a block away) and Buquebus ferry to Colonia for Fri/Sat; not very often that Jake's February birthday can be celebrated on a sunny beach!
F 2.10.12
- Happy 27th Birthday Jake! I love when his birthday comes; makes me feel less old...closer in age to me!
- Made a birthday breakfast: bacon, scrambled eggs with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese, and french toast topped with butter, honey, powdered sugar, kiwi, and raspberries (can't find syrup here...)...oh, and that Kermit box Jake's holding is NOT pear juice, as I thought, it was pear flavored milk...hmmm...and my Miss Piggy "juice" box was strawberry and cream milk (not my fave, but fun to try)
- wanted Jake to at least have something to open, so got him a Che Guevara book and a chocolate bar
- it is tradition here to bring medialunas (~crescent rolls) to work for your colleagues on your birthday...so Jake brought some in
- the rest of his day was filled with a couple apartment viewings (don't ask), work, then meeting me at Buquebus for our excursion
- arrived safely to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a Portugese settlement dating back to the late 1600's
- found our hotel, then hiked it through the dark cobblestone streets to El Buen Susprio, where we had dinner reservations. El Buen Suspiro is a wine bar located in the historic district (barrio historico); had to duck our heads to get through the door and to walk throughout the wood-beamed space equipped with stone walls and much charm; knowing this place was more about cheese/meats/wine, I was worried we wouldn't get enough of a "meal"; however, we got our fill and leftovers to bring home; favorite quote from the night: Jake, "Could you ever imagine so much cheese?"...coming from a Wisconsinite...bottle of wine and set meal for two = under US$50!
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| Jake doing his best Che impression using our appetizer bread sticks... we notice Che almost always had a cigar in his mouth in pictures |
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| Jake and our bottle |
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| the spread |
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| such a neat place |
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| artisanal |
- almost forgot about the live music! A girl was singing right outside the room we were in, so filmed a clip, and got some shots of the restaurant
- and below you can see the aftermath; how was this cheese for only 2?!
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| Jake outside restaurant upon leaving on the famous Calle de los Suspiros |
- night was topped off with dessert back at the hotel; I had attempted to purchase a birthday cake at a local bakery earlier in the day, but made the mistake (in my broken Spanish) to tell the lady it would only be for 'dos personas'. She insisted I get two small cakes; what'd I end up getting? a chocolate cherry cake and CHEESEcake! we only ate the chocolate...saved cheese for later
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| finally got a match to ignite after several tries from my soggy pack of matches |
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| gotta have champagne! pretending to pop the cork off the small bottle of twist-off |
- Jake's highlights: walking thought sites at night with Becky, and when we tried to clap together for live music at restaurant (ask us, and we'll show you what we mean)
- Becky's highlights: spending quality time with my husband on his birthday, romantic trip, wine bar!
- slept in a bit, then enjoyed breakfast on rooftop of hotel...coffee, OJ, and rolls with jam and dulce de leche
- the challenge of this post is to decide which photos to post...this town is so picturesque, and we snapped so many shots...here is a collection:
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| whats al that racket? oh just a kids swim meet inside the courtyard of some building off the main road....popped in to see a couple intense rounds of the backstroke! |
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| this plaque says something about how Colonia became a UNESCO historical site in 1995 |
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| lots of cobble, and lots of old cars like this |
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| except this one just happens to be a place you can dine at El Drugstore restaurant |
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| we befriended this dog, Pedro...could not count the number of stray dogs wandering around or napping in the sun |
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| short rest on the pier to take in the view of the boats on Rio de la Plata |
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| we liked this flower pot...so nautical |
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| one of Jake's many artistic shots |
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| birthday boy! |
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| all of the town's street signs looked similar to these beautiful tiles...we also loved the many lanterns |
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| colorful! |
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| top of active ligthouse |
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| Calle de los Suspiros |
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| revisited the restaurant from last night to get a better shot |
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| pre-lunch ice cream snack on the fortress wall |
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| to help me stay patient during our long wait at lunch, did a little journaling; a little chilly right on the water |
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| the waiter recommended these to Jake - very light, fried spinach balls...pretty good |
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| lunch @ Patrimonio; decent food, poor service, but great view |
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| had to try the local "chivito" beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, fried egg on ciabatta - yum! |
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| we saved a couple bucks to get bikes without gears = great hill bike workout |
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| short bike ride to the nice beaches |
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| we couldn't ask for better weather...70's and sunny! |
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| beach bums! |
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| so cobbly |
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| my favorite tile design... |
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...and Jake's |
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| sangria at El Drugstore |
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| my vegetable gnocchi...veggies were great, sauce was rich, gnocchi a plenty! |
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| Jake's white fish, potatoes, and carrots |
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| Buquebus ferry home, enjoying our cheesecake for dessert :) |
- going through the pictures made us really realize what a great time we had...definitely hope to make it back to Uruguay, and maybe a 2nd trip to Colonia!
- Jake's highlights: relaxing atmosphere, seeing history & architecture
- Becky's highlights: riding a bike!, beach, exploring quaint old town
- Jake's 'summer' birthday weekend = SUCCESS!
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