Reflections in Punta del Este...

So Summer 2010 here in Punta began today!

Why today?

Because tonight we had the Lacoste Party at La Huella. A classic. It is always THE social gathering that initiates Summer's social season here. Weather though was not an ally... fog so thick to cover the first three floors of the tallest building at La Barra. Heavy rains most of the day, grey skies and stormy seas.

But we went to the party all the same.

At 10 pm we drove the 35 km that separates José Ignacio from la Punta, we sunk our 14-cm-heels in the wet sand and walked with determination towards the Parador La Huella.

(A note: for quite some years now, the very best of Punta del Este seats at José Ignacio. The best restaurants (La Huella, Marismo, La Caracola, etc.). The best parties. It's all kilometers and kilometers away if you live at la Punta, as myself.)

Anyway, I got the see our all time friends... In fact, I guess we went for them, the socialites that made what Punta is now. Franco Macri, always cheerful. Alfredo Etchegaray, an Uruguayan that did a lot to promote his country around the world. Pancho Dotto, Cecilia Zuberbuhler, Pablo Santamarina, Wally Diamante, Christiano Rattazzi, and many others that have their houses, or work or come to Punta del Este for summer.

Many many beautiful girls... dressed exactly as I was, to my great surprise! Minidresses (mine was a grey blue sequined one from Topshop) and "booties" (a mixture of short boots and high-heels sandals). I wore ones from Burberry's Summer 2010 Collection, that a good friend of mine was kind enough to bring them to me in his luggage.

And, above all, the must-have black leather jacket.

If you don't have one, do not come to Punta. It's not a matter of pure snobism... It's simply because it's chilly at night and it's rather damp. 85% of the girls tonight were dressed this way.

Except for my sister... she wore a sophisticated green long Lanvin. Very chic.

Lots of food, and drinks, and even a rock band from Colombia.

All in all, we stayed for 40 minutes. Why so little?

Because I had already ate at home before going, a number-one rule to attend any party. Two reasons:

One, to avoid eating things that are not on my diet.

Second, because eating ruins your lipstick. And that doesn't look good.

Then you get to smell like fish or grilled brochette... and that is not ok in a country were you kiss everyone just to greet them.

And another good reason for leaving so early was that once you spoke about the awful weather, the high prices of everything here in Uruguay, the trips you made during the year and whether you are dating or not... then there's not much more to do...

So you turn back, step again the wet sand, drive the 35 km towards home... and at least you have something to tell on your blog...

And you go to bed, wondering... Will it be sunny tomorrow?