In my last post about Colonia, I may have given the impression that there was absolutely nothing else to do. That’s not quite true (I’ll get to that). And I may also have given the impression that the entire trip was happy and joyous. That’s also not quite true.
In fact, on that 2nd day, hours before our return to Montevideo, I literally wanted to wring D’s neck.
It all started when D only brought 2000 pesos to Colonia, and forgot the ATM card back at our apartment in Montevideo. And it was just our luck that the first place we ate at didn’t accept credit card, so there goes practically half of our cash right away.
(In case you’re wondering where my ATM card is… it mysteriously disappeared during our first month in South America.)
“You realize that when we have lunch at Jacintos, that cost almost 1000 pesos, right?” I said in disbelief. “So why would you only bring enough cash for only 2 meals??”
“I dunno, I’m stupid.” He replied sheepishly. I didn’t argue with that.
So at breakfast the following day, I stuffed my face with cake and toast and various jams at the complimentary hotel breakfast buffet. I was full (even uncomfortably full) and I felt great! I was ready to go without food for the rest of the day. However, D, claiming to be gluten intolerant, only nibbled on a few slices of ham and cheese.
And then we were off to tackle the day’s adventures.
I had mentioned that there is actually something to do in Colonia, which is to visit the Plaza de Toros Real de San Carlos, whose main attraction is the old bull ring. It actually looks pretty cool and I was looking forward to seeing it.
we would have seen this (Source)
We planned to rent a golf cart to drive over to the bull ring, but were dismayed to find that they didn’t accept our Chase Sapphire card. And obviously we didn’t have enough cash to lay down a deposit. I was crushed.
While we tried to figure out another solution, D conveniently chose this time to decide that he’s hungry again.
Now if I’m hungry, I can suck it up and continue on doing whatever it is that we’re doing, until we find somewhere to eat. But when D’s hungry, all hell breaks lose, and we MUST DROP EVERYTHING to hunt for food.
The only problem: NOTHING seems to be open in Colonia before noon.
I suggested that to pass the time, we try renting bikes instead to get ourselves to the next town over. But it was to no avail, as he decided that his hunger has taken over his ability to act like a civilized human being. No, he didn’t want to rent a bike instead. No, he didn’t want to explore the non-historic part of the city. No, he had no interest in doing ANYTHING anymore.
Except for endlessly whining, so it seemed.
“You’re acting like the biggest brat ever!” I finally said. Except not quite as nicely.
“I’m just getting back at you for the 2 weeks you act like a brat every time it’s that time of the month.” He shot back. Except not that nicely either.
“Whatever! Just whine by yourself over there!”
So there we were, in quite possibly the cutest place I’ve ever been, I sat on a bench fuming at him while he sat feeling sorry for himself (“That hotel buffet didn’t have anything I can eat!”). While I also felt sorry for myself that we came ALL this way down and we weren’t going to see the bull ring.
Finally when it was noon, we ate at the first place we saw open (or rather… he ate, I watched), which was a parrilla that was quite honestly, not very good at all. And let me also note here that he single-handedly devoured the entire bread basket (gluten intolerance, my ass!). But it did the trick. At least D returned to acting somewhat like a civilized thirty-something-year-old.
“I’m sorry. You know how I get when I’m hungry.” he apologized as he reached for my hand.
And with that, my hand found his as we walked down the same cobblestone streets we had already walked through the day before. We spent our last afternoon revisiting some old favorite streets and discovering some new beach nooks. My disappointment at not visiting the bull ring soon faded; all that mattered was that I was enjoying a new part of the world with someone I loved… and that someone was going to take me to all different parts of the world to see far grander things.
So it was with a happy heart when we said bye to Colonia a few hours later, carrying with me only precious memories of this charming town.
So yeah, the moral of this story:
1. Bring more money than you think you’ll need.
2. Yes, there is something else to do when you visit Colonia (see map).
3. Always take advantage of a complimentary hotel breakfast (because nothing in South America opens before noon)!
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Oh no! Did you report your card stolen? You should if you haven’t, someone could still find it and make fraudulent charges on it.
Thing’s don’t always go the way you plan them, but the most important thing is to make the most of it and have fun!
I don’t even think I took it out of the apt, but I turned the apt upside down and never found it! There’s been no charges on it at all. And don’t worry, I cancelled it!
What a story. I absolutely agree – having some extra cash with you can save your *ss ;-)! Lesson learnt I see :)!
In the end, we didn’t have to worry toooo much because we found places that accepted card. But we definitely would have felt better if we knew we had the means should any emergencies happen!
There’s no better way to get in a fight when traveling when one of you is hungry and there isn’t any cash! Been there! Colonia sounds charming anyway!
No kidding! Glad to know we’re not the only ones! Luckily it doesn’t happen toooo much.