Cheerful Summer

We wanted to escape from the freezing New York last February, and visit a country that could warm us up for a while. We chose Montevideo, the capital of a tiny country, Uruguay. A trip to a fascinating and country. In Montevideo we could breathe an air full of tranquility, good vibes and magic. I was thinking if there was more oxygen, because I could not stop yawning and feeling sleepy for a couple of days. The city was not huge, but to a considerable extent. Enough to get a good loss if you take the road that is not. Car traffic may be congested in parts.

One of the Montevidean traditions is to visit the Isla de Flores and Santiago de Chile streets, located in the South District to watch the candombe groups of Montevideo played the drums. Candombe is music and dance originated with African slaves. A tourist that wants to visit Montevideo cannot miss the candombe and the parade during Carnival time, where hundreds of people parade in beautiful costumes accompanied by dancing men and women. Candombe players heated the instruments by the fire before they started playing. A curiosity.

One Sunday we went to the Tristán Narvaja Fair which has been taking place every Sunday in Montevideo for over a hundred years ago. It is combination of a market with a flea market. A tourist can find almost everything: books, antique lamps, pipes, boxes, clothes, canaries, drums, fruits and vegetables and so forth. We got tired of walking and decided to take a cab to go to the Punta Carretas Mall that is located close to the seaside. We had a delicious meal at a restaurant and for dessert coffee and scones - type of muffin cake - a delicatessen that we could not ignore.
The Punta Carretas’ neighborhood was very pleasant to stroll. Skirting the edge of the Rio de la Plata was the Uruguayan shore holding a chain of beaches. For the most part there is a sidewalk between La Rambla (a wide boulevard/promenade) and the waters of the Río de la Plata. It was very pleasant to walk along the coast on Montevideo's Rambla. We saw people sitting on benches, running, walking, drinking the typical mate, a place to socialize. Nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than watching the sunset from here! After a while, we decided to go back to the hotel to have a shower and dress up to go to a night club.

We visited one where tango was danced and played, it was spectacular! Then we went to another where we could listen to rock and roll, Brazilian and tropical music. By the way, people stayed dancing until dawn as we were told. We were exhausted, music, dance and some drinks! What a combination! Still, next day we were heading to the famous Punta del Este.