Small Town Uruguay

Sounds like a redundant title for a country the size of the state of Missouri, I know. But after being in Montevideo and visiting beach towns along the coast of Rocha, the time had arrived to visit a very small community. I chose Estacion Pedrera in the county of Canelones. The director of ViviUruguay showed me around their little village.

There was a church, a school, an old train station, a few houses, and a tiny... [Read more]

On the Hunt for Carne in Montevideo, Uruguay

A few years ago I tasted the most amazing, soft, juicy, buttery meat I have ever experienced. I asked for my meat to be cooked as raw as possible, and I was delighted with the results. This was in Salta, Argentina. Being here in Uruguay for 4 months I have been expecting to find similar results due to the cows being the same breed and eating from the same pampas (lush, rolling open terrain that the vacas meander around... [Read more]

To Give Or Not To Give in Uruguay

I have been torn many times on what to do. I sit on a bus, hear some guy singing horribly, and then he approaches the passengers for a few coins. The voice bothered me, the ambiance of the ride changed for the worse while the tunes were belted out, but I know that this guy is hurting for cash and trying his best to make ends meet. Should I give him money?  How about on the next bus ride later today and the two tomorrow?

And... [Read more]

Carnival Times Continue in Montevideo,

It’s the longest Carnival in the world - 40 days of party right? I had my reservations…what kind of place (and who) could join festivities for 40 days straight? Impossible. But I have been proven wrong, once again. And last night I experienced my favorite Carnival times thus far.

I’ve gone to the opening Inaugural Parade, the following Las Llamadas parade with the candombe drumming groups,... [Read more]

Hostel Finds

Hostels are a beautiful way to get to know a new place.  Most times the owners/workers enjoy sharing views on their respective cities or towns (unlike some of the hotels I have occasionally stayed at).  And they do so without expecting tips as well.

But one of the best feelings while traveling happens when I find a fantastic hostel.  This doesn’t mean it has all the trendiest amenities or styles.  It is... [Read more]

Murgas, Humoristas, Parodistas, and More of Carnival

There is more than one style of Carnival performers competing for the best group title here in Montevideo, Uruguay.  We have the murga groups who sing and dance (a little, and a little strangely) about current issues…many times focused on political themes.  The humoristas who are the funny guys (and occassional girls) not as focused on singing.

Then we have the Parodistas.  Yes, there are a few other styles... [Read more]

Here Comes Carnival…In Montevideo

The festivities where scheduled to begin last night for one of (if not the) longest Carnival celebrations in the world.  But something(one) upstairs was not ready to start; hence the strongest downpour of rain that I have seen here in the past 3 months arrived…along with the strongest wind.

But don’t fret, these Montevideans are not giving up and have scheduled to start the parade on Sunday - when the... [Read more]

Mercado del Puerto and Feliz Año

A lot of my friends headed for the beaches of Punta del Este or Rocha for Uruguay’s New Year times.  But I had heard of the spectacle here in town.  From everything I heard, on the day of the 31st the Mercado del Puerto sounded like a soggy version of Marti Gras in New Orleans.

I say soggy because the whole day involved people pouring, throwing, or spraying each other with a 4% alcohol apple cider drink. ... [Read more]

My Ears Are Still Ringing - Montevideo, Uruguay

So the festivities are all done here in Uruguay.  And these people thoroughly enjoy their chance to let loose - specifically letting loose of their fireworks. 

If I were magically transported to Uruguay on Christmas Eve without knowing where I had been placed, had no sense of time of the year, and the people around me were speaking American English, I would believe that I was at a July 4th party somewhere in the... [Read more]

The Small Things of Uruguay

I am not speaking of the country’s geographical size (that of Missouri, if you are curious).  But rather in their detail to life, taking it easy, and at times appreciating the simpler side to the day.

Specific examples:
1) Yesterday I walked through the  main Plaza of Independencia on my way home.  A young boy kicked his soccer ball a bit too hard and it was about to go flying into the busy street. ... [Read more]

“Murga” in Uruguay’s Streets

The first night I arrived to Montevideo, outside of my place I heard the rhythmic, powerful, and (at this time upon arrival) alarming pounding of hand drums.  Since then I have heard this music, along with chorus singing, every weekend night and a few nights during the weekdays.

The type of music is called Murga, and is similar to a Carnival-type sound/atmosphere. Apparently the groups are allowed to be only... [Read more]

A Montevideo Test Passed

I am learning the ways of being a local…sort of.  Sure, I walk down the street and people can tell (from my clothes perhaps?) that I don’t exactly fit the bill as a Montevidean.  But let’s not focus on this for now.

Just yesterday I received a fantastic compliment.  During a four hour session of mate drinking with some very sweet new friends, I was asked if I wouldn’t mind serving the... [Read more]

Dinner at Montevideo

It’s 12:43 in the morning here in the Ciudad Vieja (the touristy part of the center of the city).  I have just returned from eating dinner with a new Uruguayan friend.  This doesn’t sound strange, does it?  Dinners always can run late with a few drinks and good times had right?

Except by the time we finished walking around and decided on a place, it was already 11PM. 

“Do you usually... [Read more]

Montevideo’s Banking

I’ve become a bit tired of getting charged five dollars, at least, on every transaction I enter into on the ATMs out here.  Well, I haven’t used them that much yet, but I will get tired of them very soon.  So off to the Banco Republica de Uruguay I went today.  I went to open up a bank account.

I walked into the bank at 1:15 PM, fifteen minutes after it apparently opened for the day. Is that... [Read more]

Montevideo Times

I’ve been in Montevideo, Uruguay for a week now.  This is a smaller South American capital - some 1.7 million people.   I am here to live for awhile, to figure out the people, and most importantly to decide if I like what the city has to offer.   

A few years ago, for three months, I traveled around Argentina and felt as though... [Read more]