WHERE THE RIO PLATA MEETS THE ATLANTIC -- Gay Cruising

Thump'a thump, bump ta bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, a bump, a bump, a bump . . .

As the ships tender approached the dock at Punta del Este, Uruguay, we heard this drumming in the distance. We were told they were having an early carnival in town and everyone on the boat wondered if the drumming was coming from it.

11.30 outside this internet office and the streets are crowded with dancers and drummers of all ages and costumes and the sidewalks filled with people watching and shaking to the beat. The costumed old ladies and children in the parades look especially cute and the paraders are mostly women. The younger women are in bikini outfits and heels, how long can they go in those shoes?

It is a constant infectious beat which I am told will go on all night although the internet office closes at midnight. Doesnt anybody work tomorrow?

I am staring outside the window and besides hearing the music I can see flashes of costumes and large colorful flags being waved in the street.

A large silver fabric crescent moon just ambled by.

Mario and I had an adventure, with photographs, in Montevideo before we left yesterday. Details to follow but let me leave you with this:

I had to take a taxi and drive around town looking for him, including an adult movie house (that is a euphemism), while I kept the taxi waiting and poked my heard into various darkened rooms calling out, "Mario, Mario."

I almost missed the boat.

Like I said, I have photographs.

I need to get back to the streets.