Theatre and Cowboys, I mean Gauchos

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I had a busy weekend. I arrived in Montevideo in time to get dressed for a Tango concert at the Theatre del Solis in the historic part of Montevideo. Strange to be one of the people going out in the same area as the hotel last week. The inside of the theatre was grand, something out of the past, a bit like the Royal Albert. The music was traditional tango by various artists. Later we went out for pizza. Who knew pizza in Uruguay was so tasty?
The next day we headed to San Jose for a gaucho festival. 1000 horses and riders congregated at the park near the zoo. It was tricky walking for many reasons. ha ha Before the parade dignitaries met to hear the national anthem and then the flag was raised. We watched the gauchos parade past, on to the main plaza. There, we visited the cathedral.
Later we had grilled beef and salad and returned to Montevideo.
The next day we walked to Holocaust memorial near the beach. If you go, make sure you enter the correct way, and can read Spanish (or go with someone who can). This memorial was created to fit into the coastal landscape and is quite moving.
Sunday afternoon I took the bus to Punta del Este (think Miami Beach) for two days. (next blog) Currently I am back in La Polamo.

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Photos

Gaucho
At the yearly Gaucho festival in San Jose, an hour outside of Montevideo

President´s Box
Behind me is the President´s box in the Theatre del Solis

Dress
Traditional skirt of dress covers horse too.

Historic soldiers
Vive, le revolution! vive, le independence! They lead the parade of 1000 Gauchos

Yup, 1000
1000 gauchos on horses and wagons gathered at this park and then rode into town. Tricky standing here to get photo, horses were arriving every minute.

Town
Each town or farm had its own flags and colours.

Boss
Each group seemed to have a boss. Cool spots on the horse, eh?

Colour
Some women riders were dressed in grand skirts.

Flag
Before the parade, armed guard raised flag.

Ride to Square
Parade headed downtown

Town Square
The riders went round and round the square

Matte
People with traditional drink called matte (maa-tay)

Cathedral
San Jose Cathedral is on the main plaza

Spire
The blue-tiled spire was brought from Italy, with much effort

Dome
It was beautiful inside the cathedral. A quiet place after the gaucho parade

Zoo Visit
Before the parade we had time to visit a small zoo. This is the native bird (forget name)

Deer
Native deer, small and nervous.

Road Trip
Carlos drove us to San Jose. Countryside is flat and green and fertile.

Wine
Tannet is a wine that is produced only in Uruguay and South of France....so I read... It is quite good

Symbol
Symbol to honour ´greatest´president in Uruguay. Behind is president´s office in Montevideo

Sculptures
Beside president office was a small sculpture park

Holocaust Memorial
Near beach, Montevideo has a holocaust memorial crafted into the landscape. It begins with rail tracks taking you towards wall

Broken
The wall is broken, as in the story of the lives of the Jewish people. Later the path takes you to words of hope, and a lighthouse in background