Trip to Uruguay - a disaster!

I‘m back again! Not from Uruguay, that I’m already for a long time. No, back writing reports!

I was thinking about whether I could write about this trip or I should spare you and my bad memories these experiences. But then I realized that I can’t just tell you only my good experiences to give the impression that my stay in South America was just perfect perfect.

Anyway, I decided to enjoy a day in Uruguay. I had not been to Montevideo yet. I thought when you will be already in the south of this country you could do a detour to the “Monaco” of Uruguay - to Punta del Este, the richest and most southern place of the country. So I booked a Buquebus-ticket to Montevideo for Monday, 18 January 2010.

First I took the fast boat from Retiro straight to Montevideo (UY). There I asked for the free bus to the center. It took us more than half an hour till we took off. I presumed to find the tourist office in the center. Arriving at the center I couldn’t find any tourist center so I asked couple of people from this city. No chance! Half an hour later and a radio chat with the police headquarters I got a direction. But arriving there I still couldn’t find what I was looking for. Therefore I just took some pics at the most important square, Plaza Independencia. It splits Ciudad Vieja from downtown Montevideo, with the Gateway of The Citadel on one side and the beginning of 18 de Julio Avenue on the other. Many important buildings, such as the Solís Theater and the workplaces of the President of Uruguay (both the Estévez Palace and the future Executive Tower) are located at this square, as well as the head office of IBM, the Torre Ejecutiva (ex Court of Justice) and in the center the Mausoleum of Genaral José Artigas. Then I went on to run aimlessly through this capital city. In the evening I tried to find my hostel. I walked through some dangerous looking streets till I finally got to a quite lonesome place where the Palermo Art Hostel is. At the reception there was a young lady explaining everything to me. I asked her for some interesting places to see and eat in this city. Then a very nice girl of about my age joined us introduced herself to me and chatted with the receptionist as if she was part of the staff, gave me some tips for this city and then the receptionist told us that be we both share the same dorm.

I got my stuff into the room and left the hostel for some more sightseeing. I also had to buy a bus ticket to Punta del Este. I took the way along the coast stepping by at the light house at the very south. On my way a lost gay Brazilian joined me and told me that he likes to take walks along the coasts at late evenings, er…. He proudly told me some of his German he learned at his institute. It was a great combination: gay - pink polo shirt - speaking portugues! At night I went out for some dinner, around the corner. On the way back it started to rain. In the hostel they planned some party for this night but I couldn’t find any. I met a lot of Brazilians, some people from other parts of Argentina and two Germans. We played some billiards and then talked all night through and drinking some beer.

Next day I took the bus to Punta Del Este. It took me about two hours. It was raining again. When I arrived at the bus terminal I decided to extend my stay by one day to be able to enjoy the sunny next day at the beach, especially as I would only have six hours till my bus would leave again. At the bus terminal I asked if it was possible to change my travel reservation. They answered it in the affirmative. After that I first wanted to find a free room for this one night before changing the reservation. I went to the tourist office (in the bus terminal) to get some addresses of close hostels and a map. I then checked the first hostel but it was booked up. At the second I was successful. But it cost me almost 25€. I went back to the bus terminal to take a number and wait. I waited two hours till it was my turn. Then they told me that, firstly, I had to add 50% to the ticket due to my promotion via internet, and secondly I had to take the bus at the same time the next day. That was not possible because I had to go to the concert of Joaquín Sabina that night and I would arrive at 11pm. Therefore I couldn’t change my reservation. Now there were only two hours left anymore to “enjoy” the day. But that was not all. I went back to the hostel to get my stuff and cancel the reservation. I tried to get back my money but the told me that it is not possible even though I didn’t use any service, particularly the breakfast. The maximum was when my shiny new digital camera felt down at the hostel and makes a terrible noise now when zooming in. After this I really wasn’t in the mood anymore to enjoy this day. At least it stopped raining by now. I took some quick pics of the famous hand coming out of the sand at the beach. Now I needed something for my stomach so at the marina I had the traditional Chivito Uruguayo on a plate (French Fries with meat, bacon and cheese from the pan, onions, tomatoes, lettuces, pickled veggies, and a dressing of mayonnaise and ketchup. Then I went to the very south of Uruguay to see the Hijas de Gea (Sound of the Sirens) at the shore, crossing the exclusive residential area with many mansions each having its unique name.

Now my time was over and I had to return to the bus terminal. I took the bus back, to Colonia. There I took the boat back to Retiro, Buenos Aires. To round this day off there was a technical damage at the boat so that we had a delay of two hours. As compensation we got a voucher for another boat trip but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to use it anymore. I finally arrived at my flat at 2am. Great vacation! Personally I didn’t like Punta del Este ‘cos it is this typical high-society-Mecca, not interesting, not much to do, along the beach one building next to the other, and too expensive. It also might be ‘cos it was just such a great day for me!? At the end I was glad that this horror finally was over!