This receipt struck me as colorful and unusual, so I put it aside, seeing the bar code. I assumed it was something promotional from Tienda Inglesa, where you have to scan the receipt to get little stamps or something. Currently I think they’re doing a trip to New York. Were those clouds in the design? Whatever, later, unpack groceries….

Later

Short answer: no. The new blue ink – hopefully less toxic – appears to be water soluble. And apparently something in my shopping bag was wet.

Oh well. It’s pretty, and mentally considerably less demanding than the thought of a (another) trip to New York.

Taking up valuable space in our luggage back from ‘Murka: cotton tea towels that absorb moisture. Kitchen scouring sponges that don’t begin to disintegrate immediately with use.

I know. I can hear you already: why would you want those?

Early yesterday morning, I found myself with coffee at McDonald’s at MVD – Montevideo airport – near this receptacle for “mixed waste” and “recyclable materials.”

The “mixed waste” graphic caught my eye.

What’s this? Your McDonald’s hamburger will be so bad you’ll throw it out half-eaten? Or worse, it’s so bad that the hamburger itself is vomiting?

I guess in a country of 3.5 million people you’re not going to get the cream of the crop when it comes to graphic design. Or it may be that someone has a really really good sense of humor.

I like the latter idea.