Colonia and el fin (the end)

Hola!
Well, I´ve gotten a few more stamps in my passport! Wednesday I took the boat to Uraguay to hang out in the town of Colonia. My friend from Colorado who is also living down here for awhile was supposed to meet me on the boat and.... never showed up. There was some kind of problem with a bus or something so she wasn´t able to make it to the boat in time. Yes, I was very bummed that I was going to be traveling by myself, again, but I of course didn´t let that stop me from enjoying my time there. The boat was actually like a little cruise ship - there was a restaurant, a few bars, pinball machines, and even a duty free shop where they sold things like goldfish crackers and twix candy bars! Felt like home! (almost) Although the trip was 3 hours long, it was a very nice little ride. This was my first time on a ship like this and I smiled to myself because I was thinking, ¨well, I´m off to the air on the boat deck¨ as I climbed the stairs to go outside. Oh Titanic :) Ive gotten very good at being able to ask other tourist to take my photo, proof that I was actually in the palces I said Ive been! We arrived in Colonia and I set out exploring the historical part of town. There were a lot of really old buildings, lighthouses, and even part of a town wall and old stone bridge. This part of town was very much catered to tourists so it was full of little shops, cafes, and muesems. I went to the artesian fair and couldnt help but smile when I saw how much junk there was! Some fairs are amazing, but this one seemed like a garage sale of people´s random stuff! Small town feeling for sure here. I did however have several conversations with random locals who were very interested in the fact that I was there and that I was from Colorado where it was snowing. I felt that the people here were much more friendly and laid back. I could actually make eye contact and not feel like I was circus act. I´m still not quite sure why feel like I stand out so much, but I know for a fact that I will not miss all the staring.
On the way back home I took the fast one hour ferry because I had to get back in time for my ¨despedida¨dinner with some of my friends! (going away dinner) We went to a restaurant that was set back off the street a ways and were able to sit outside without the constant noise of the traffic. It has been very nice to be part of a group here in BA and yes, it will be very hard to say bye to everyone!
Thursday was my last tango lesson :( My time spent dancing tango with these teachers for the past 5 weeks has probably been some of my most favorite times here in Buenos Aires. I LOVE tango, nothing is more sensual, romantic, and beautiful to watch/dance. I have now had 5 lessons and my teachers said that I danced beautifully :) (.... I only know a few steps so I dont know how ¨beautiful¨that can be...!) After the 2 hour lesson there is always a ¨milonga¨were locals who really really know what they are doing come to wrap their legs around each other and do all these fancy moves. It is SO beautiful to watch and I want SO badly to be able to dance like that some day. I´ll be on a mission to find a tango dance studio when I get back. Get your dancing shoes on Jon! :) you might or might not be dragged if you decline this invitation....
Friday was my last day at the hospital. I have really loved spending the past 5 weeks there. I have learned a ton and have got to witness a lot of really cool stuff. I am so happy that everything worked out because being a part of the intensive therapy group was exactly what I had hoped for. On Friday I brought treats for everyone to sort of say thanks for your patience, friendship, and guidence. Yes... the treat were good and I realized that although I bought a big box, I should have bought another one! No one seems afraid of indulging in a bonbon, tart cup, or dulce de leche filled cake bite down here! :) It was sad leaving everyone, and especially sad leaving my old friend Ricardo, who was actually doing so well on Friday. I told him I was leaving and that I would be thinking of him and I was pretty close to tears when he wouldn´t stop squeezing my hand. I hope he gets what he is wanting.... His wife and daughter again kissed me and wished me luck and thanked me for everything. ( I didn´t do hardly anything except be there physically, but once again, I guess it is the small things that have the greatest impact). After work on Friday I went out to lunch with 5 of the nurses. We had such a great time, ate a lot, and took a ton of photos. They made me promise that I would stay in touch with them and let them know what was going on in my life and with my studies. Needless to say I have about 15 places I can stay the next time I come back. Saying the last goodbyes were hard because not only had they taught me so much and showed a ton of patience with me, but now they were my friends. If you are wondering.... yes, emotional Megan did cry - but I was not the only one this time. In the end, my time spent down here in the hospital was darn near perfect :)
Friday night we went out one more time to a boliche (night club). I got to wear my new tango-ish dancing dress :) The night was SO much fun - mainly because they played 80´s music! It was so funny because with each new song that came on people would get so excited and scream and then start singing along... myself included :) We left ¨early¨, around 4:30 or so because it was SO crowded that you could hardly move, they changed the music to riggatone, and it was way too hot. Actually, although they have fans in these night clubs, they do not turn them on until about 5 or 6 AM because they want people to keep buying drinks. Also, they have obviously never heard about ¨fire hazards¨because there is no limit to how many people are let into a club. Yeah... but other than those things, it really is a great time - unlike anything I´ve experienced in the states. People here LIVE for the night!

In case you are wondering, it takes a full 7 days for a bad sunburn to become bearable. Walking, sitting, and sleeping were all very miserable until the 5 day or so. I´ve gone through 2 bottles of aloe vera, and I am now on my 3rd bottle of lotion. And my poor poor roommate... I´ve asked her to put lotion on my back so many times! I feel so bad and I have apologized a hundred times because for the past week I have always been in our room wearing almost nothing as I was covered in lotion! I´m sure she is also glad that I am better now because now she won´t walk in our room and see me laying on my stomach on my bednwith my red and white bum in the air :) AH! never again! This is really gross I know, but the other night I spent an hour in the shower and all my dead skin fell off in like 6 inch sections! Gross. I´m still a peeling mess but at least I´m not in pain anymore!

This is my last day in Buenos Aires, I´m taking a 9 hour bus to Cordoba tonight at 11 pm. I´m sad to be leaving because I´m comfortable here and have friends here, but at the same time i´m ready for a change and to be out of the big city. In Cordoba (northwest of BA) I am meeting my Italian friend and we will be traveling together for a little over two weeks in the north. I´m excited! but this means that I only have 17 days left here! I´m also anxious to get to Chile.
Part two of the adventure in Argentina starts tonight I guess! Here I go!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON! Sorry I am a bad girlfriend and am going to be missing your birthday!!!!!!!! We will have to celebrate when I get back! See you soon!