33. To buy cannabis

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Montevideo, Uruguay

There’s a reason why you don’t hear people say, “Ooh, we had a lovely weekend in Montevideo.” It’s not a major tourist destination for a reason. Won’t be rushing back.

In the older part of town, the main square, Plaza Independicia, has a lone statue of Jose Artigas, the father of the Uruguayan nation. His mausoleum lies beneath the palm fringed statue. Government House stands overlooking the Plaza but it’s a basic affair compared to Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires. Contains artefacts of past Presidents but only necessitates a quick 15min look.

One of the most impressive buildings is the Palacio Salvo overlooking the plaza. It is architecturally beautiful and reminds me of the large tall buildings you might find on the Upper West Side in New York.

Sweltering hot today, not a cloud in the sky, so it’s walking along the edges of buildings to stay in the shade. The main pedestrianised street has a mix of old and new buildings. Some quite ramshackle. There’s nothing really to stop you walking on. Plaza Zabala has a load of green parrot like birds flying about and squawking in the trees. A bloke is looking up at them and narrowly avoids getting pooped on. It’s only later that I realise that I have been pooped on. A lone bloke with his little wheeled cart is selling freshly squeezed orange juice but he’s looking bored as there’s not much market for warm orange juice at the moment. A few blocks further, see a long queue outside a pharmacy. Wonder if they’re waiting for it to open. But then see people going in and out. Most young men in the queue so wonder if it’s some sexual health clinic. Intrigued. Ask if anyone speaks English and why they’re queuing.

To buy cannabis. Is the reply.

I laugh. Really? Seems so odd. They’re a chilled out bunch.

Down at the port is the old market now full of BBQ restaurants. Massive logs blazing with huge racks of meat grilling on the heat. The already hot day becomes hotter. Opposite is the Customs House, a white edifice. It’s a huge imposing building that hides a large cruise ship behind.

Theatre Solis has a tour at 1600hrs but as it’s only 1330hrs, young girl gives me a very quick tour of the auditorium. It’s modelled on La Scala in Milan, apparently, though a lot smaller.

Attempt to get in the back of a taxi to the Football Museum. They’re like New York cabs in that they have a fixed bulkhead between front and back, to stop you attacking the driver. Incredibly tight. It’s like trying to get in a hamster cage. Can’t physically fit so he allows me to sit in the front passenger seat. That’s no better as can’t push the seat back because of the bulkhead. Knees up to my ears again.

However. Really good chat with taxi driver. His English is quite good. Never had lessons. Just picked it up watching English language films with Spanish subtitles and read a Spanish-English dictionary. Forwards. And backwards. Asks why I’m in Uruguay. Explain.

He replies, “The best thing to do with money, is travel.”

Couldn’t agree more. Doing it now, whilst I can.

Museum of Football is a basic affair full of Uruguayan football events. Trip up the 100m tower in a lift for stunning views. City is so flat and the football pitch beneath looks tiny.

The Centenary Stadium was built for the very first football World Cup in 1930. Uruguay won. I assume a copy of the original Jules Rimet trophy is on display. Quite different to today’s trophy.

Well that was Montevideo. Return to Hotel Cottage Puerto Buceo (https://www.hotelcottage.com.uy/cottage-puerto-buceo.html). A very nice place in a quiet residential area where trees line the street and restaurants are close by. Probably the best thing about Montevideo.