Photo Essay: La Abuela de Austin 2026

Jack Richards
Jan 11
1 min read

Updated: Jan 26

We've been fortunate now to receive Austin's grandmother, Bonnie, twice. While her first visit in 2024 was spent largely at the beach, this trip we've prioritized exploring more of Montevideo.

Scroll down to see our dinner theater experience and Austin and Bonnie's whirlwind visit to Argentina.

A small sampling of the 25,000 toys at the Museo El Juguetero
Yankees play with tea sets... Uruguayans play with mate sets...
97 years ago... January 9th, 1929
Tacos at Lonely Star
Flourless chocolate cake with orange cream sauce
Palacio Taranco, el Museo de Artes Decorativas
The decorative arts
Exhibit on lighthouses with the unrealized (unrealistic) vision of Mario Palanti for his two towers
Plaza Matriz / Plaza de la Constitución
Palacio Salvo (and some new art)
A big storm kept us inside all day Saturday
We played Spades, with Hudson's help
He's still learning the suits...
The streets were covered in leaves and debris torn off by the strong winds
Tapiocas with eggs (still working on my form) before heading out
Sunday adventure starting from our apartment
First stop: Hotel Sofitel Montevideo Casino Carrasco and Spa
Carrasco is known for this neoclassical hotel and its many bavarian style homes
The neoclassicism
The Bavarian
Lunch at Hoy Te Quiero
Parque Rivera
Families grilling in Parque Rivera
A stopped floral clock is still only right twice a day, but much nicer to look at
Candombe drumming practice preparing for Carnaval
Our only direct flight to the US (and the reason Bonnie is able to visit easily)
Parque Rodó
Playa Ramirez Pup
Final Uruguayan sunset
Thanks for coming, Bonnie!

El Milongón

An immersive dinner theater showcasing the history of Uruguayan music and dance.

The Lobby of El Milongón with theatrical sets and candombe drums
Gaucho culture
The colors of Uruguay
He asked for this photo...
The origins of tango: knife fighting
Tango through the eras
Leg down
Leg up
Flapper tango
Beautiful gowns
Candombe
Los turisticos (like the entire audience)

Jack home alone

While Austin took Bonnie to Argentina, I painted our rusty outdoor laundry door, took Hudson on a long bike ride and saw many friends and many sunsets.

Love when the sunset is striped like this
Or moody like this
MVD
MVD
MVD
Treated myself to a GF cucurucho (and a lactaid)
A very small portion of a 3 hour process (on a high UV day)
Ariana Grande: "You're green"
Washed off enough of the paint to take Hudson on a long bike ride
Including a picnic with Marjorie & Luis
And some time out of the backpack.
We made it to the tip of the city where locals fish
More sun...
sets...
Hudson loves to borough, especially when there are large swathes of cloth left on the floor.

Argentina

To make the trip home a little easier (one less stop by flying from Buenos Aires directly to Dallas) and show Bonnie new things, Austin took her to Argentina. They toured the main attractions of Buenos Aires and spent a day at Iguazu Falls.