Fishing

I wanted to attach this photo to show that I do actually go fishing sometimes.  I was getting quite a few bites but I don't think it was anything big enough to really want to catch.  The guy that was fishing with me reeled in a couple but they weren't any bigger than about 4 inches long.

Anyway, it was cold last night near the river.  I am wearing a zip up hoodie, a Texas hoodie, a long sleve shirt and a short sleve shirt.

The truly amazing part of this fishing trip was the things I was fortunate enough to see.  I was watching the Orion constellation slowly dip below the horizon realizing that the earth was rotating.  I watched a couple of commercial aircraft flying at a tremendous altitude, well over 30,000 ft. I'm sure.  The really amazing thing that I was looking at was the Milky Way.  I haven't seen that since a cruise I was on, I think in 2002, not sure of the date. We were standing on the fantail of the cruise ship and it was so dark the the Milky Way seemed like it was lighting things up.  Last night I revisited that experience.  If you ever have the opportunity to get away from city lights, take a look in the sky and you will know what I mean.  I have actually been able to see the little dipper from here because of the lack of city lights.

Meteor hit

Not a lot to report about this time.  There was a meteor strike similar to the one that happened in Russia a couple of months ago.  There wasn't the same damage caused and no casualties.  It happened very early in the morning on April 21.  There are some videos of it entering the atmosphere and showing it before it hit the ground.  I happened in Argentina, the country next to this one.  No danger for us.  Just makes me wonder.  All my life I have wondered about meteorites hitting the earth.  We all know that it is a constant thing because they can be found on the ground all the time.  The recent strikes are of a larger nature.  Not wanting to takes a doomsday view of things but I am wondering if it is going to become more commonplace.  I don't think they will hit cities because there seems to be something about developed areas that seems to repel them.  I was trying to find a video and stumbled upon a video of a meteor being filmed in Delaware.  I wonder how many have gone unseen.  Is it just something that happens once in awhile and people just happen to be there to see and film it or is it something that is going to begin happening more often.  Just something to think about.  For the more curious amongst you.  It might be something worth investigating and letting the rest of us know.

West

I just watched what happened in West, Texas.  The news media have said it is not terrorist related.  I remember reading about the same things that happened during World War II when Germans came to America and created small "unrelated" incidents that were labeled as coincidental.  Come on people wake up before it's too freaking late.  Tell the news media to stop.  Stop letting what the news media says influence what you think.

Tacos

Short blog.  I already have a blog with a picture of tacos.  Going to include photo just to keep it interesting.  We bought three boxes of taco shells the last time we were in Montevideo, more or less 3 weeks ago.  We are having tacos for lunch today, with the last package.  I have created a taco monster here in Paysandu.  They have fallen in love with tacos.  I am going to make chicken tacos again.  All I need to do now, when the weather is colder, is make some chili con carne and enchiladas.  If you can think of anything other food I need to introduce here, just drop me a note.  

Licorice

I know that is a strange title, but it has it's reason.  I have Steve Heller to thank for bringing me some black licorice when he came to Uruguay.  He brought me 2 boxes and they were yummy.  I wanted to savor them over a long period of time, but I discovered that was easier said than done.  Once I started on a box I couldn't stop.  Well, I looked up the website of the company that makes that particular brand and they suggested I look into Amazon for distribution, unfortunately they do not ship internationally.  Then someone suggested homemade licorice.  Well, I wasn't sure that I could buy Anise here until the other day.  So I am getting ready to make homemade licorice and I don't think I can buy syrup here.  So I looked up a recipe for that.  It is simple enough.  Once I get started on this, I figure it has to be about the same as making peanut brittle without the peanuts and not using brown sugar.  Just add the anise and I should be set.  I would say pray for me but that would be an incorrect application of prayer.  How about cross your fingers, that works.  

As far as any other "addictions" I might have, I am getting used to Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, it's not Sailor Jerry but it will have to do.  It's not like I drink on a regular basis, either. A friend of mine told me he could get me a cigar but I really don't think I want one that badly, besides I probably wouldn't like it since I got to be very particular about the cigars I smoked.  I even had a Cuban when I visited the Eastern Carribbean once.  They are over rated.  Anyway, just thought I would toss this in as a blog and see what happens.

I was going to write about retirement, but I figure no matter what input I have about that subject it has probably been written about ad nausium.  Just make sure when you are ready to retire that you can live on your retirement.  If not, make plans for investments, or don't retire and die at work.  Some of you will probably have to die at work anyway or at least think that is what you need to do.  Retirement is a scary thing.  It's almost like getting on a roller coaster if you have never ridden one before.  It is a fear of the unknown.  Unlike me, I was very ready to not have to work for money any longer.  I am thankful that I am living in South America, where my retirement money means something.  I can support a family of 4 on the $2700 per month I get, and I still buy electronic books to read on a regular basis.  I might even get a new tattoo next month if I am a good boy....lol.  I worked for 48 years, that is probably longer than most of you have been alive, those of you in my age group know what I am talking about.  I think Glen and Lynda have a great idea about touring the US in an RV. Sell your house because you can't afford the payments anyway, move to a retirement community and sit on benches and talk about your ailments.  Play shuffle board and play Bridge on Tuesday nights.  Seriously, retirement is meant to be a time in your life to relax and have fun.  So when you get ready to retire, do just that.

Until later, partners, keep your powder dry and may fair winds keep your sails ever full.

Doc, Jonathan, Aba

Texas food in Uruguay

Get the fire started, it's time for grilled chicken, Texas style.  Found a store in Montevideo that makes these tacos perfect.  With the taco seasoning supplied by Steve H.  they turned out great.  Probably the only household in Paysandu, for sure that has Texas style tacos. 

Field Day

A beautiful Fall day for a school field day.  Clear skies, light breeze and a warm day.  This is a field day for El Colegio, Valentina's school.  There were balloons that needed to be made ready, tables and chairs to be set.  Food and drink booths to be arranged.  Lawn chairs set up in the shade.  Inflated castles.  Activities for both the parents and the children.

Trip to Montevideo

Took a road trip to Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay today.  Needed to renew my criminal background check with Interpol and get a copy of my registered birth certificate.  It turns out that I need to make an appointment with Interpol and since the birth certificate is only good for 30 days after I get it, we decided to wait until the first of May to go back to Montevideo.
The trip wasn't a total bust other than the fact that I found out that the soda pop machine at the American Embassy is for employees only and it is NOT stocked with Dr. Pepper.
We went to the Shopping Center which is just a different name for Mall.  I have included some pictures.  
One of the stores has a very interesting name and it sells women's clothing (photo attached, don't be offended by the name)

.  We discovered a rather well stocked grocery store in the mall.  When we first walked in it smelled like a grocery store in the US.  It had a complete produce section.  I took a picture of some of the treasures we came home with.  Mostly my treasures because most of the stuff in the store we can buy here in Paysandu, and probably a lot cheaper.  The biggest find was the peanut butter.  The big surprise was the Ritz crackers and crispy taco shells.  We found the peanut butter and the taco shells in the specialty items area of the store, go figure.  I guess for Uruguay they would be specialty items.  The peanut butter actually tastes like peanut butter and not at all like the stuff we got from Argentina.  
They have a food court, of sorts.  I had chinese food, which I haven't had for over a year.  Wasn't the best I have ever had but it is the best I've had in a little over a year.  There isn't a chinese restaurant in Paysandu.  It was quite an adventure.   All the things that I used to take for granted are now treasures.

Homemade pizza

This is what homemade pizza looks like before it is cooked at our house.  This sauce that Fabiana makes is incredible.  I have eaten a lot of pizzas here in Paysandu, hers is the best.