Day 4-ends with cultural tours
The fourth day of our Fulbright Field Experience felt endless, but the people and places we visited kept us motivated. Our host, Isabel Deluge, took us to her family house, Casa Ambrosoni, where we experienced rejuvenation in the form of beautiful gardens, delicious food, and friendly conversations. We also visited an orange farm and ate freshly picked oranges. The day reminded us to slow down and enjoy life's simple pleasures.
Casa Ambrosoni was built in 1876 and belongs to the Deluge family. The complex is located in the town of San Antonio, 15 km from the city of Salto. The house has 19 rooms that are fully equipped with private bathrooms. We were amazed by the garden and the large farm. We felt at home as soon as we entered the complex. Our host's mother-in-law, Lil Palacio, was an amazing lovely lady who welcomed us with open arms. She showed us around the house and told us about its history. We were impressed by her hospitality and her willingness to make us feel comfortable.
One of the highlights of our visit to Casa Ambrosoni was the ASADA, a traditional Uruguayan barbecue. Lil and her family prepared a feast for us that included meat, fish, and vegetables. We were thrilled to learn that they had arranged a fish ASADA for me and another Turkish Muslim teacher from Ohio. It was a heartwarming gesture that made us feel appreciated. The food was delicious, and we enjoyed the company of our hosts and her family. The dulce de leche cake was the icing on the cake, literally! It looks like a simple cake from Publix, but its the taste was out of the world.
After lunch, Lil showed us a secret tunnel that was built during the civil war. The tunnel was used by the Uruguayan army to communicate with the battlefield. We were fascinated by the history behind the tunnel and the fact that it was still intact. Lil also showed us some old photographs of the house and her family. We could sense her attachment to the house and her pride in its heritage.
Our last stop of the day was an orange farm. The trees were loaded with oranges, and the fragrance of the fruit was all around. We were free to pick and eat as many as we wanted. We sat under a tree and enjoyed the sweet, succulent fruit. We got to know that agriculture is the main foreign exchange earner in Uruguay. It still contributes to roughly 10% of the country's GDP. The oranges were a perfect ending to a perfect day. We felt rejuvenated and grateful for the experience.
Finally, we were back to our hotel to take rest, but our curiosity and love for food took us on a walk through the city, and we stumbled upon Americano Pizza. We ordered a pizza topped with French fries and fried eggs, and it was heavenly. The crust was crisp, and the toppings were delicious. One bite of this unique pizza was enough to satisfy all our cravings. After indulging in Americano Pizza, we decided to explore the city and observe how the locals live their life. The city had a vibrant and lively atmosphere. People were friendly and welcoming. We wandered around the streets, admiring the architecture of buildings, and taking in the culture. It was fascinating to see how people in Uruguay take pride in their heritage and traditions.
The fourth day of our trip to Salto, Uruguay was long and tiring, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable days of our journey. We looked back at all the experiences that we had. Despite being tired, we felt overwhelmed with joy and happiness. Our visit to Casa Ambrosoni and the orange farm reminded us to slow down and appreciate life's pleasures. From exploring Orange farms to savoring Americano Pizza and walking through the city with the locals, we got to learn and enjoy a lot. We returned to our hotel feeling rejuvenated and energized. Sometimes, a break from routine is all you need to get back on track.
