Blogs from Montevideo, District of Montevideo, Uruguay, South America

Uruguay, a hidden gem in South America and a country which is seemingly looked over by many global trotters. I write this as my 4 months living here is coming to an end and I am now sitting on a plane somewhere over the continent of South America at 3am in the morning and bound for the warmer climates of Costa Rica in Central America! Yes – I've not just changed countries again but now continents also. I had started to write this a week ago and I was going to tell you all about my past 6 weeks in Uruguay since finishing up work. Of my travels along the coast to the rustic beach town near the Brazilian boarder of Punta del Diablo with it’s beautiful people and laid-back lifestyle; of the slight-contrast of gorgeous ... read more

27-29th March Montevideo Well excuse me for being thick, but I don’t even know what day of the week it is much less what public holiday – but of course it’s Easter and unlike in the UK where things shut for a couple of days (if that) here they close for a week! The first thing we noticed about this city is it really isn’t a classic tourist destination, it’s a working city and a slightly faded, grubby one. However there are lots of lovely small parks and some fabulous architecture, even if the buildings themselves are derelict and unused. We had a good wander around the old town on our first full day and came across a post office so immediately bought a couple of stamps, we have had to search for them in other ... read more

After a long and uneventful flight I landed at Carrasco International Airport - when they say international, well the terminal building is new and rather grand, but there were 2 big planes (one Iberia, the other from American Airline) when we landed - and a few small private jets. The same seems true for the city, from what I have seen so far. The Ramblas and Avenidas are quiet - well at least at the weekend and not many people are out either. On Sundays all the shops are open. So Sabine, a colleague from the bank, showed me one of the shopping malls, where I had to buy a new handbag! She also showed me a good substitute for Starbucks right at the sea side where we had tea and cake. Later we even went ... read more

On what was meant to be my last night in Montevideo a Swiss guy that I had befriended at the hostel and I decided to head down to the beach to check out the sunset. As we walked the 4 blocks between the hostel and the beach these three guys asked us for the time. Patrick replied to them in Spanish as we walked by without stopping. After about 10 meters I looked back behind us and the three guys were following us. To Patrick I went "we're about to get mugged". Next thing I knew two of them are grabbing at my bag and tugging it until the strap breaks and it comes off. They then go and help the other one who is fighting with Patrick for his iPhone. As I was waiting for ... read more

Visai padoriai išsimiegojęs apie 10.30 ryto atvažiaviau į urugvajaus sostinę, Montevidėjų. Iškart išsikeičiu vietinių pinigų ir suradęs reikiamą adresą sėdu į autobusą. Netrukus aš jau prie durų už kurių manes laukia dar vienas couchsurfing draugas. Šiuo atveju duris atidaro CS draugė, mergina vardu Noel. Iš pradžių planavau Montevidėjuj pabūti 3-4 dienas, tačiau pasikeitė mane priimančių draugų planai, tad arba reiks porą naktų praleisti hostelyje arba šiektiek sutrumpinti viešnagę šiame mieste. Taigi duris atidaro draugiška mergina, kuria čia gyvena su savo vaikinu ir dar keletu draugų. Trumpai pabendraujam ir aš žinodamas, kad čia neturiu labai daug laiko, išskubu apžiūrėti miesto. Pirmai dienai pasivažinėti gaunu dviratį, taip šiandien galėsiu aplankyti žymiai daugiau. Namas kuriame apsistojau yra pačiamie miesto centre, visai ... read more