Christmas in Uruguay

On this occasion, guest blogger Mama Viajera writes a few posts about our shared adventures during the four weeks in Argentina and Uruguay in December.

The pictures are taken by me.

My posts will continue with the usual delay.

On December 24th, we travel by boat and bus to Uruguay, Punta del Este, full of curiosity about Christmas. When we get off, I immediately see the revolving restaurant (22nd floor) and decide that I want to go up there. Yuca, Marc's (ex) colleague from Zurich, tells us as one of the first things when she picks us up that we will celebrate the Christmas party up there. Great!

So we go to the party at 9pm, dressed in our best clothes. We are greeted with cocktails. The food tastes excellent, the view of the city with the yacht harbor is amazing. However, there is nothing of 'Silent Night' or contemplation. Here, Christmas is only on the 25th and Santa Claus comes at night. It's all about partying, with music and above all, loud. The tension rises around midnight, champagne is distributed. At exactly midnight, we toast and happily sing Feliz Navidad. The celebration ends with music and dancing. There is even a conga line through the restaurant.

Since all restaurants are closed on December 25th, we have a big Asado for lunch. The barbecue party starts with sausages and cheese, continues with simpler cuts of meat like stomach (a matter of taste) and the actual Asado piece (ribs) all the way to the filet. Very tasty, my need for meat is satisfied for some time. It goes without saying that a siesta is obligatory after such a meal.

On December 26th, Marc and I visit Casapueblo, a building complex without corners or edges, designed by the famous local architect and artist Carlos Páez Vilaró, a companion of Picasso. A long walk around the Punta del Este peninsula rounds off the day. On the 27th, we continue our journey to Montevideo to get to know the Uruguayan capital. A huge thank you to Yuca and her family, you have welcomed us very warmly.

Our great hotel room in Montevideo is on the 7th floor with a view of the beautifully lit Entrevero Square. During the evening walk, two things stand out: the monumental Palacio Salvo and the fact that there are almost no restaurants. Finally, our hungry stomachs are satisfied at the upscale Restorante Teatro. The prices are high and the overall price level is much higher than in Argentina. Uruguay is said to be the Switzerland of South America, as Yucas's father told us, because there is also bank secrecy here. What we see during our short city tour is not spectacular. Except for a beautiful bookstore in the pedestrian zone and above all the Mercado Viejo Porto. Here, on at least 10 huge wooden grills - the Parilla - everything from whole butternut squash, sausages, Asado to the whole filet is expertly grilled, satisfying the heart of every meat lover. Truly spectacular and a feast for the eyes.

In the evening, we take the bus to Colonia del Sacramento. Once founded by the Portuguese as a smuggling place for goods to Buenos Aires, it is now very touristy, with maple-lined streets, blooming bougainvilleas, screaming green parrots, and colorful houses, it is very beautiful and cozy.

In the evening, we sail across the Rio de la Plata to Tango Land Buenos Aires (BA).