The weathermen had it reversed. Yesterday was when all the rain came down, while today was a truly beautiful day, although still a bit on the warm side at 90 degrees. It was a nearly perfect day to explore Montevideo’s Old City and stroll through the city center, and still have enough time to enjoy a late afternoon at the beach.
The difference between Buenos Aires and Montevideo is abysmal. The latter is a city of wide-open boulevards and excellent architecture. Montevideo, on the other hand, is much more laid back, quaint, and somewhat unkempt.
The Old City is a crisscross of narrow avenues, with buildings that have long lost their splendor, though retaining its charm. Superb dining establishments abound, and cafes, as well as weed bars, where you can either smoke a joint (legally), or drink cannabis infused beer.
A Cannabis Cafe.
We had another delightful lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, where the most tasteful Uruguayan beef is cooked on the grill and exudes a mouth-watering aroma. I had a T-bone steak that was to die for.
After I smoked my after-lunch stogie over a cup of Illy Caffe’ Espresso, we headed to downtown to explore more of this capital’s architecture and parks.
Then, it was off to the beach. We spotted a delightful wide cove along the Rambla, the city’s waterfront boulevard that this city is most proud of. For once, rather than lying in the sun, we cherished staying in the cooling water of the South Atlantic. A most welcome respite and a great topping to another beautifully pleasant day. No photos there, as we preferred to leave the camera behind, in the trunk of the car. When dinner time approached, we enjoyed another pleasant walk around our neighborhood, which is quite lively with activities, elegant shopping centers, restaurants and cafes. A simple sharing of quattro formaggi pizza, a gelato, and another espresso, and we are now back at the hotel. Tomorrow is another early wake-up as we will be heading back to Colonia to catch the boat back to Argentina. Buenas Noches Amigos. Hasta Mañana.
Buenos lunes hermanito