Today officially marked one week since we arrived on our study abroad trip, and instead of spending the day in Buenos Aires, we traveled by boat to Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay. It was a completely different experience from the busy city atmosphere we were used to all week. Once we arrived, we took both a walking tour and a bus tour around the city. During the walking tour, we explored older parts of Colonia that had narrow cobblestone streets instead of regular roads for cars. The city sits right along the water, and the colorful buildings, small shops, and relaxed atmosphere make it feel very unique and peaceful compared to Buenos Aires. One thing that really stood out to me was the number of stray dogs walking around the city. They were friendly and would come up to tourists, and we learned that many people in the community help feed and care for them.

Later, during the bus tour, we learned more about the history of Colonia and why it is such an important city in Uruguay. One cool fact I learned was that Colonia is actually one of the oldest cities in the country and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its historic architecture and preserved streets. You can really tell how much history the city has just by walking through it. The mix of Portuguese and Spanish influences in the buildings and layout made the city feel very different from anywhere else we have visited so far. Overall, visiting Colonia was a really cool change of pace and gave us the chance to experience a quieter and more historic side of South America.

One nice thing about Jason is how open he is to talking about his life and experiences. He is always open to talking and answering any questions we might have about his life. He has lived such an interesting life, and just hearing his perspective on things and other countries he has lived and visited throughout his life is a really cool thing that he is willing to share with us.