¡Feliz 2009!

Today is only the first day of 2009, but it has been such a full day that I feel like it has been at least two days so far. First, we had a fantastic time with friends last night. As I have mentioned before in this blog, new friends here have welcomed us like family. Their warm and sincere hospitality gives me a sense of comfort in this far from home place. I am grateful for it.

After spending hours around the table enjoying good food, wine and conversation, we ushered in the New Year in the Uruguayan way – with besos all around and fireworks, naturally. Fireworks here are called “fuegos artificiales”, literally artificial fire. But soon we had real fire to deal with. All it took was one ember, and a large patch of dry vegetation by the front of the house was ablaze. The bomberos were called but we did not wait idly for them to come. With Cesar manning the hose, Neli with a bucket, and Marisa and I beating down flames with soaking green branches torn from Chilca bushes, we kept it contained. Dirty from smoke and soot, we called it a night around 1:30am. Nothing kills a party like a brush fire.

We did not get much sleep though, because we were determined to welcome the first rays of sun of 2009 on Playa Brava, in Punta del Este. Being married to the human alarm clock is really handy when one has to get up at 5:30am after three hours of sleep. On our way to the beach, we passed huge crowds of revelers just leaving the clubs after partying the night away. Sleepy-eyed, we rendezvoused at the beach with Gloria and friends and took in the warmth and energy of the rising sun. I had the fleeting but powerful feeling of rejuvenation; like this was not just another sunrise, but the start of something new.
Back at the chacra, we made a big American style breakfast complete with home-made biscuits, before trying to catch up on sleep. Before we knew it, it was mid-day and time to go back to Gloria’s house. None of us got enough of last night, so we gathered around the outside table one more time for a lunch of turkey, roast pork, arugula salad, caprese, stuffing, green beans almandine and of course, wine. Satiated, we wiled away the rest of the afternoon, either playing cards, napping, exploring the garden, or just relaxing.

From chasing a bull to putting out a fire, to soaking in the first rays of sun, it has been a pretty exciting couple of days. Here is to 2009 – may it be filled with peace and happiness for all.