Southeastern Uruguay and a Futbol match
The night before we left Montevideo was the first time it rained on us. The next day was overcast. Since we had to leave our guest house by noon and our flight wasn't until ten that night, we rented a car and cruised the countryside of southeastern Uruguay. Driving wasn't too bad except around the airport, and I don't think I'd want to try city driving.
After going through a few towns, we were really out in the country.
Lot of cows. It was all very peaceful until--
Lot of cows. It was all very peaceful until--
--we got to Punta del Este. This is a beach town and looks pretty much like any beach town.
A lot like Myrtle Beach, in fact. The beaches are popular with people
who come over from Argentina, which doesn't have good beaches.
All in all, it wasn't very interesting after Montevideo.
Incidentally, I exercised my vast knowledge of Spanish
at the airport McDonald's to order Pollo Habenera.
A lot like Myrtle Beach, in fact. The beaches are popular with people
who come over from Argentina, which doesn't have good beaches.
All in all, it wasn't very interesting after Montevideo.
Incidentally, I exercised my vast knowledge of Spanish
at the airport McDonald's to order Pollo Habenera.
And Futbol.
This is the Centennial Stadium, where the first World Cup was played in 1930
(Uruguay won) to help celebrate the country's first hundred years.
(Uruguay won) to help celebrate the country's first hundred years.
The owner of the guest house hooked us up with Nacho and Franco, who are football fanatics and run a service where they take people to games. They drove us to and from,
bought the tickets, sausages, and even shared their mate with us. Nacho (left) told us
rather apologetically that he's a lawyer. Franco is (I think) a journalist.
bought the tickets, sausages, and even shared their mate with us. Nacho (left) told us
rather apologetically that he's a lawyer. Franco is (I think) a journalist.
They seemed to know everyone at the game. Those are two of their friends behind us.
The game was the first round of the Bridgestone Cup, a tournament for South American
teams. Nacho and Franco are partisans of the Danubio Football Club (Wanderers),
a first division team from Montevideo.
The game was the first round of the Bridgestone Cup, a tournament for South American
teams. Nacho and Franco are partisans of the Danubio Football Club (Wanderers),
a first division team from Montevideo.
The game was against a team from Venezuela, and most of the spectators were on our side
of the field. We were frisked at the gate, and the troops were on hand in case of trouble.
of the field. We were frisked at the gate, and the troops were on hand in case of trouble.
Before the game people went around with garbage bags full of confetti,
which we threw when the home team came on the field. The Wanderers won, 3-2.
Three red cards and, I thought, a lot of diving!
which we threw when the home team came on the field. The Wanderers won, 3-2.
Three red cards and, I thought, a lot of diving!
And that's all I have to say about my vacation. Thanks for visiting.