Numero uno

Uruguay - Colonia

Colonia. I had a nice time hanging out in Montevideo because it was so laid back (and also free accomodations) and Colonia was even more so. It seems as though time here froze around the 1960´s and hasn`t changed a bit since. It made Colonia a pleasant place to visit for its architectural and historical sites but since I was anxious to get to Buenos Aires I only stayed for the day and caught the afternoon ferry to B.A.

The streets of Colonia.

One of the cities many parks.

I love these streets and the perfectly aligned trees hovering above the houses, casting their shadows on the pavement. I want to live on a street that looks like this someday.

Another park on the coast of Colonia. It`s a beautiful view from the park but the brownish hue in the background is actually the color of the sea fading in the background. Like in Montevideo, I wouldn`t swim here if you paid me.

Old chain and gate bridge.

One of the oldest streets in Colonia. They have maintained their old traditional style of houses along with the coblestone road.

New lighthouse, old spanish ruins. This is when I started playing with Sepia and B&W tones to bring out the age in my photographs.

Old Ford Model A.

Corvette Stingray Convertible. This used to be my favourite car. It was from the 60´s and its age suited being in this laid back behind-the-times atmosphere.

Vine tree wrapped around outside of window.

Of all places, it just doesn`t make sense to make such a statement in the calm and peaceful town of Colonia where the `system` doesn`t really exist.

I normally drink sweetened iced-tea but there is none in Latin America so I have been resorting to drinking soda, which I used to hate and never drank back home. Above all, I have found myself being addicted to the toxic orange colored Fanta. I love it now.

My luxury class ferry boat ride to Buenos Aires. Brazil and Uruguay seemed decently developed and weatlhy for the most part but this ferry boat ride was just a primer for what to expect out of the quality of transportation in Argentina. Buses there were practically all 1st class, especially compared to all of my previous bus riding experiences.

Thats all for now, don`t forget to leave comments so that I know I`m not just writing for myself.

Uruguay - Montevideo

I get to Montevideo and finally resolve my money situation. People at the bus station are reluctant to help me and I finally get fended off to someone who directs me to my place of lodging. I managed to find a Couchsurfer here, recommended to me by the Americans that I met couchsurfing with Murilo in Brazil, who just so happens to be working at a hostel here in Montevideo. It was situated right here in Plaza Independencia, middle of downtown Montevideo. Apparently Federico, my CCS host, worked out a deal with his manager so that Couchsurfers could stay in the hostel for free. I got all the same services as paying guests but for free. This was a bonus because Uruguay is actually quite expensive, guests were paying $23/night in this HI hostel, the most expensive I have seen.

Plaza Independencia.

Mausoleo Artigas. Situated underneath the statue in Plaza Independencia and tended by two national guards who like to chew and snap their bubble gum all day to stay awake, this is an enourmous and rather pointless eerie room that elaborates one some important dates and people of Uruguay`s history on its walls.

Palacio Salvo. Was once South America`s tallest building at 26 stories high.

Paseo. Pedestrian Promenade downtown with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants.

Parks are plentiful and well used in Montevideo.

Churches in Montevideo.

Acordians. I will soon notice just how much of Argentinian culture is borrowed here in Uruguay.
Colonial style buildings in Ciudad Vieja.

Mercado Del Puerto. An old roofed market converted into an area for Parrilla`s, barbeque restaurants.

Old clock tower.

Federico hooked me up with a bike rental at the hostel so I decided to take a stroll in the `Rambla`, pathway, that runs along the southern coast of the city to do some sightseeing around the city.

I love these streets and how the trees hang overtop of the roads.

Maple leafs in Uruguay? But the trees don`t make maple syrop though.

Downtown Montevideo.

Confucious in Latin America? I would have never guessed.

The Rambla and beach in Montevideo. There water here is quite dirty, I wouldn`t swim here if you paid me to.

Another beautiful park in Montevideo.

It`s so laid back here people do lawn bowling.

The highlights about this hostel, besides staying there for free, was that I could climb to the rooftop everyday to practice playing my guitar. I`m finally getting back into the spanish groove and starting to speak fluently again. The problem here is that they speak with a Castellano accent that the Argentinians do, which is different from the rest of Latin America. Double l´s are j`s and so are y`s, but at least its not that different from the similar words that they have in Portuguese so I`m not finding it too hard to switch and understand the accent here.

People come here everyday to fish and drink maté.

As for Montevideo, it is one of the most laid back cities that I have ever visited. People here are out and walking around all day, relaxing in parks, fishing and drinking matés. However, as laid back as their lifestyles seem, it still seems as though most people can`t be bothered to talk to you or help you. Perhaps among other things that they adoped from Argentinian culture such as their Castellano accent, eatin at parillas, drinkin maté, collecting antiques, and playing acordians instruments, they also adopted their stuck-up cocky attitude? Who knows, I still have yet to visit Argentina but it seems as though Uruguay is like a Argentina wannabe country. Leave comments.