Magic.

Magic, to me, is when something wonderful happens and catches you off guard.  Yesterday, we started the day off by sleeping late, making lunch, and slowly getting ready.  By 1 we were heading to la feria (an outside market) to shop and look for souvenirs.   Though it was windy and cold, the sun was out! After la feria we headed to a little bookshop on the coast that was super warm and had the best view! After buying some books and reading a bit, we headed to Catalina’s house for a “te de primas.”  (girl cousin’s tea)  When we arrived it was incredible….  It was magical… The three of us were surrounded by warmth. My aunt, my uncle, my grandma, and Cata were all sitting waiting for us to watch the U 17 Uruguay soccer team beat Uzbekistan.  (luckily they did, 2-0)  Close to the end of the game Nacho and Lucia arrived,  she was the only missing prima (girl cousin).   When Lu arrived it just got better.  With Alexandra’s lead, we set up the food and ate together.

Alexandra getting the tea together

 Diego and Feli took turns coming in and out, and we all just sat and enjoyed each other’s company… Joking, laughing, and eating.

At some point I noticed that my aunt Alexandra was getting things out of a box.  It took me a good 10 minutes to figure out that it was the game “a minute to win it.”  The craziness was so enjoyable.  Between trying to win at tic tac toe with golf balls, cups, and water , and trying to stack cups and put them up in less than a minute, the laughs could be heard from a mile away!  We all played! (Sarah, Maia, Alexandra, Nacho, Lu, Cata, and I)   Maia was the CHAMPION ( :

First game of a minute to win it

Just hanging out!

Minute to win it

Time flew by and I realized how much I missed spending time with my cousins.  We spent the whole afternoon together and then Maia and Alexandra went to get a movie for us to watch. 

When they returned Nacho and Lu had to leave, but Feli and Diego came down and we all ate dinner together.  It was all of us together, including Sarah, just talking and laughing as if it was the most normal thing in the world.  After 10 years of being gone, it felt as if we’d never left, actually it felt better.  That is magic, that is love… As everyone scattered off, Diego stayed downstairs with us.  Cata watched a movie, and Diego played his guitar and updated Maia, Sarah, and I on his life.  As I finished watching the movie with Cata, Diego showed the girls how he made bread and made sure we would have enough for breakfast. 

Diego playing his guitar

Diego making bread

When we woke up this morning, the bread was ready because Diego had woken up at 6:00 to put it in the oven.  He also had a mate ready for Sarah to try.  We finally headed out after an incredible day at around noon.   I can’t explain how happy yesterday was.  It was a complete surprise that we all ended up together and enjoyed it so much…

After leaving all that behind, we headed to find Laura and Eduardo’s house.  They are the couple that has hosted most of the Ole Miss students that come and study in Montevideo.  That was also very comforting.  They are both full of love and that house has a life of its own.  Between Eduardo’s stories, sarcasm, seriousness, and care it was hard to walk out.  It was TRULY hard, since he wouldn’t allow us to leave and wanted us to come watch the game with them!  I promised I would go back and visit before I left, but I was ecstatic to have finally met them, and I completely understand why everyone loves them!