Yes, we’re celebrating

For a country that considers itself non-religious, Semana Santa – oh, sorry, Semana de Turismo – is a big deal. That’s Easter Week in case you’re still not up to speed 😉

Duly noted, of course, in my calendar:

Fortunately we had nothing of particular importance to accomplish this week. Our friends Sandy and Don, whom we just left at the airport for their move back north, were kicking themselves that they didn’t factor Semana de Turismo into their planning, but almost everything that needed doing got done regardless.

Where there’s a will there’s a way.

Security, wherever you are

“I protected your home, wherever you are”

A little security company mini-minivan pulled partway into our driveway and beeped the horn. When I went out front, the driver got out, leaving two (three?) people sitting in the car.

He was offering a security special of free installation something yadda yadda. I told him we had lived here almost ten years with dogs and no security company, and that the only problem we’d had during that time was the alarms of our absentee neighbors’ systems going off at all hours for no apparent reason.

Still, I asked him about what they had. And whether they were local.

No, not local, he said, but they have detectors with cameras, and when they pick up a signal, an operator checks the camera and calls the police if things look suspicious. I asked enough more to determine that dogs and cat would set off the alarm continuously, and his solution for that was to keep the animals in a segregated part of the house, and … ¡chau! Mr Security Man.

Though of course the idea of giving complete strangers the ability to activate cameras inside my house at any time … how could one not feel warm and fuzzy and secureabout that?

The road less taken

Walking dogs a few days ago, we crossed a wide sand road very recently groomed – the entire thing was parallel furrows. Nothing else.

I took a picture. I lost the picture. Don’t ask me how.

sand road with horse hoof prints

Anyway, same place, same time, next day.

Lots of horses had used it, apparently. I don’t recall ever seeing more than two horses at a time out there, maybe three. And I make no claims of expertise. But that looks like the tracks of much more than two or even three horses. Where did they come from? Where did they go? Who groomed the road?

Mysteries, mysteries….

map with red circle

Shadows

Instructions: imagine a stainless steel French coffee press on a marble counter, with its handle on your left at an angle toward you. Illumination is a diffuse overhead light on the left.

Draw it, including shadows and reflections.

Did your drawing look like this?

Didn’t think so.

Wannabe world traveler?

I’ve documented many times the overwhelming assault vehicles that Germans (and some others) apparently feel essential for navigating the wilds of the Americas. And to be fair, I personally know one who has made thorough use of its off-road provisions, in the Andes and elsewhere.

Mostly though, I see them parked in the dunes or supermarket parking lot. And those closeups often reveal fascinating evidence of wide-ranging travel.

As in, you know, suggesting maybe the vehicle was actually in those places at one point.

Enter the Pathfinder.

Nissan Pathfinder
Which to take more seriously?

But first, an acknowledgement that a subset of Uruguayan drivers think stickers filling the back window comprise the essence of awesomeness. The vehicle below presented itself a few minutes later. Shooting through the windshield with the camera on my phone, I felt badly about the poor image quality … until I remembered there was nothing remotely interesting there to examine in greater detail.

So, the Pathfinder. First thing to notice are the wheels on the left. Their apparent offset could be explained by perspective, but no, you had to be there: through whatever misalignment, the car was driving somewhat crabwise.

Then there are the stickers. Most prominent, a person on camel. Let’s see, Africa, eh? Or am I jusr cheating based on not one, but two, sticker outlines of the continent? So has this vehicle been to Africa (maybe twice?). Uh, no. Look 10:00 from there (with your ancient knowledge of analog clocks) and spot the Route 66 sticker. So this vehicle has traversed the southwestern United States? Uh, no.

Then on the window to the right, another camel, and then a dog peering through what might be a shrapnel hole. And then a cross motif, and … hmmm. Will I apologize that you can’t clearly see more? Uh, no.

By the way, no intent to denigrate the juggler, whom in this case I hardly noticed. Though considerably less novel than I’d prefer, unsolicited traffic light performers here are often quite impressive.