Ready for another trip?
How about South America?
A few minutes into October (midnight:05 on the first) 2025, I took the first of three flights on Avianca (laying over in San Salvador and Bogotá) to Montevideo, Uruguay.
The first shots are from the plane window, looking at clouds, down at the coast of El Salvador. Then airports, parts of Colombia, and finally Montevideo…
An easy Uber ride to the Smart Hotel and I was in the midst of the old town.
Arriving too early to check in, I left my luggage and started walking…
Scholars, as you know, I likes me some interesting architecture, street art, and serendipity.
Like the last batch, this one has a group of students on a field trip, and some random passers-by…
Montevideo was a bit sleepy in the morning as people gradually got out into the day. I revisited a couple of these places over the next two days, and they were a bit busier.
Inspired by the great weather and wanting to get some exercise, I walked way out on to an old jankety jetty, watched some poor fisherman watching the brown water for even poorer fish – who probably were not there, having succumbed to the predation – or the pollution?
Ah culture, sometimes not so cultured? How about horticulture instead? From the slovenly to the sublime, this batch includes some historical photos of old carnavals, more street art, some uniquely random street vendors (selling tourist & flea market stuff), a trip into the local cathedral, and ends with the view from my lovely hotel room…
After a nicely early check in, and a shower, and a nap, I sallied forth again in another direction to explore Montevideo. This batch features more of my jams, but check out the suggestive statuary (a large vase) and another historical street display photo of a past protest again Bush! I particularly enjoyed the motorized beach cruiser and had a nice conversation with the junk artist/street vendor in the last photo…
In addition to public statuary, I enjoy the varied facades of urban buildings that reflect contrasting architectural styles. Ran across what seemed to be a book fair – all in Spanish – in tents and a public building that featured some classic replicas. This batch ends with a kerfuffle (mostly yelling match, but some attempted MMA swings) between some scruffy urban urchins (bum fight?)…
I was encouraged to try the steak in Uruguay, so I did! It was good, but the baked cheesy spinach might’ve been better? More random art pix, etc…
The Mercado del Puerto was an interesting spot, especially for carnivores! But the Moebius book, record, art, and antique shpwas more interesting, as was the neighborhood thereabouts…
Had to get my museum nerd on, so I started with the National History Museum. As expected, there were more than a few military leaders represented, some patriotic sloganeering, and more than a few weapons of war (tools for human interaction?). Want more context? Let’s check out the History of Uruguay.
In addition, there was a display of the photographs from journalist Nancy Urrutia…
Next (after admiring a 1909 ceramic facade building and the Ministerio de Desarrollo Social), I went to the Romantic Museum. Lots of beautiful stuff, well displayed. And, I should mention, all are free…!
Finally (but there could have been more), the Museum of Decorative Arts in the Palacio Taranco. Greeted by a fellow tourist throwing down on the piano, this was perhaps the most impressive of the three. One is swept up the the unique palacio with its lack of symmetry and position in the neighborhood, at the same time entranced by the ornate elegance within. Great art, great ambiance, and this batch ends with a view from the balcony…
A final random collection of from the walk back to the hotel. Perhaps I’ll add some video clips, but if not, thanks for coming this far…!
I write the last bit of this post using the wifi on the bus driving to the ferry port on the way to Buenos Aires. Parting shots may be included later or in the next post. But this is enough for now, no…?!
