I really wanted to visit another city in Uruguay, Punta del Este. Alex and I split and I took a bus a few hours away. before leaving I lent Alex even more $$$. That became a common theme while traveling with him. His ATM card was either lost like in Cordoba or not working like in Uruguay. I gave him some more cash before leaving so he could make it back to Buenos Aires. He always paid me back without me having to ask.

On my way to Punta I left the bus like all other passengers. I walked around pretty lost for a good 30 minutes until I made my way back to the bus station to ask directions to the hostel. The lady helping me became pretty confused with the street names I was telling her and so when I asked where the center of Punta del Este is she answered, “In Punta Del Este, about 30 minutes further on the highway!”

Another bus from the same company I used stopped to drop off another bus load of passengers. He let  me on after I showed him my ticket stub and laughed a little.

Punta del Este is known worldwide as a scenic resort area with miles of beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and restaurants, glittery nightlife and an upscale summer population. For decades Punta del Este was an exclusive resort for wealthy South Americans. But otherwise, it’s also famous for the giant hand on the beach.

Within minutes of being in Punta I accomplished my goal of seeing the giant hand on the beach.

The beach, “La playa de los Dedos” (The finger beach”), which is near the main street in Punta del Este, close to a surf spot, and it has a giant hand emerging from the sand as you can see.

Punta became pretty disappointing. It was off-season for one and the town was deserted. The weather turned foggy with rain and I had nothing to do.

I walked around a little and saw nothing of interest. The choice was made. I left Punta Del Este an hour later for my last stop in Uruguay; Colonia. But to do that I had to take a bus back to Montevideo and from there a bus to Colonia.

Colonia was built in Portuguese style of houses and cobblestoned streets, the historic portion of Colonia is reminiscent of old Lisbon. The historic quarter, Barrío Historico, on a small peninsula jutting out into the river, was named a UNESCO heritage site.

On a side not, they have hot water (“Hay Agua Caliente”)! I spent the night in Colonia, fortunately in a hostel with hot water. Not the one in the picture though.

So Colonia was alright. It’s one of those places that I could really enjoy taking a date to. A bottle of wine by the water.

Speaking of water; after half a day of wandering in Colonia the following day I walked down to the pier to buy my ticket home to Buenos Aires.

Tough luck for me. All 2000+ tickets were sold out on the buquebus ferry I arrived on. I took a number on the waiting list and hoped for the best.I remember thinking it wouldn’t be to bad if I had to miss a day of classes at university.

Just as I had thought, the ferry had no open spots after an hour of waiting. As I walked away from the pier I noticed another entrance to another ferry. I remembered reading about this other service but the folk at the hostel had mentioned it was necessary to buy tickets weeks in advance.

I chose to try my luck anyways…and boy was I fortunate. 20 minutes later I was on the ferry going back to Buenos Aires, just in time for a big steak dinner, later in the evening.

Upon arrival in Montevideo, Uruguay, we at lunch a restaurant Alex raved about.

The restaurant’s specialty were their Chivito sandwiches. Chivito’s are also arguably the country’s most famous dish.  The consistent elements are a bun or sandwich roll, steak, mozzarella cheese, egg (fried or hard-boiled), and mayonnaise. Uruguay, like its neighbor Argentina, is famous for its beef, so chivitos always contain sliced, grilled steak.

We ordered Uruguay’s famous sandwich; the Chivito. Bread, thinly sliced and fried beef, lettuce, and tomato. Who would have thought?!?!?

The restaurant was located a block away from our hostel, El Viajero. I would say that hostel’s are an important part of how much a traveler will enjoy a city. El Viajero was pretty good in that regard. The hostel is located in Montevideo’s historical and most famous square, Plaza Constitución, facing the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Cabildo, the colonial City Hall. Not bad for around US$10 a night.

Being in a great location we took that opportunity to go walk. We walked for a long time admiring the city’s coastline and the obligatory old men fishing.

And like many South American cities near an ocean or river there are old cannons for protection. Nowadays they make for great photo ops.

Back near the histel’s plaza is a great pedestrian only street. I am now convinced that every city should have one.

Just as every city needs street vendors. I always enjoy comparing the items sold by vendors in different cities or countries. Bolivia probably has the most bizarre selling llama fetuses for a buck.

These bears are following us. First in Buenos Aires and now in Montevideo. I later found out these Buddy Bears are doing a world tour. A waste of money if you ask me. But then I have to take into consideration that art is not really high on my list of interests.

We saw one interesting building in the skyline and wanted to see what it was all about. After sneaking inside and taking the elevator up to top we realized it was a private apartment building. Also the tallest building in Montevideo and maybe Uruguay. With a height of 26 stories, Palacio Salvo once used to be the highest building in South America. It was built between 1922 and 1928 by the Italian architect Mario Palanti in an Art Deco-style. It is no palace at all, just a building with various shops, bureaus and apartments.

The obligatory view from the top.

I do not smoke but Alex does. Like Brazil, the cigarette companies are forced to include disgusting photos on the packages.

Even better, Dorito bags give out dating advice. I learned to wait 2 days before calling a girl for a date. Thanks Doritos!

We did make it a point to relax the next day.

Back in the hostel people were learning tango from one of the front desk guys.

That traveler would soon find out that people don’t dance tango in the clubs! As a side note, the girls of Montevideo are just as attractive as in Buenos Aires but fortunately do act like normal people. It was a nice change being able to approach an attractive stranger without a hand in my face before I can utter a word, which is often what happens in Buenos Aires.

Now it was Sunday. Sunday is flea market day in Montevideo. They call this one La Feria de Tristan Narvaja. This market goes on forever and you can find antiques, old records (fro
m Gardel to Beatles), old books, pets, plants, sunglasses, clothes, or even false teeth! I bought a few old license plates saying Montevideo. They should make nice apartment decorations.

Those were the highlights of Montevideo, Uruguay.