Montevideo, yikes

Post by Ella

We made the leap. From the historic center of lazy Colonia to the bustling streets of Montevideo where 3/4 of the Uruguayan population call home.

A three hour “non-direct” bus (which is the only kind you can get) from Colonia. There was a completely sealed in area between the driver and the passengers (like an airplane cockpit). The driver had his mate assistant so the mate could be prepared and sipped for the entire trip. I suppose the mate assistant’s primary tasks were to  check tickets, call out the stops and deal with luggage.

There were 6 or 7 stops along the way to disgorge passengers and take on others. Places like Santa Ana,Radial de J.L. lacaze, La Paz, Colonia Valdense. Bus stops little more a pullout in the road or a strip in front of a bar.

I got a few photos of the landscape as it whizzed by but then the rain started and the windows fogged. The land scape is green, green, green. Farm after farm. Ranch after ranch. 

We rode into at the Tres Cruces bus terminal in Montevideo which was packed because it doubles as a shopping mall. Seeing the long lines outside of all the women’s bathrooms I opted to hang on, while Grubb ducked right in and was done in minutes. Isn’t that the way…

Grabbed a cab with hard plastic between the driver and the back seat. A small car, claustrophobic, fortunately short ride. A little metal slot for giving the driver cash. We paid by card. The driver held up his little device to the plastic and Grubb tapped his card on our side of the plastic. Transaction accepted.

Stepped out of the cab at Palacio Salvo just in time to witness a drug transaction in front of the building. Our AirBnB host had to leave town but left garbled instructions to ask for the key from the security guy. After much back and forth of not understanding, we finally got that all he wanted was the name of the lady in the apartment. He didn’t care who we were. I said “Mary” because that’s all I knew. Whew. 

Our host’s instructions (the AirBnB messaging feature doesn’t seem to have a great Spanish to English translator)

“She is just them this time since I had to leave Montevideo. Mi. Tel (deleted for safety) schedules it like this and we will be communicating more directly. You arrive at 848 Plaza Independence and in portería they give you the keys and go up to the 11th floor and the dep is 1102. Lecis 1102 Mary’s apartment. The small key opens with turn and you turn the deadbolt at the same time. I’m here to help if you have any questions”

Okay, the last sentence was clear.

Here we are on the 11th floor of Palacio Salvo.

We had a delightful meal at a little Peruvian place around the corner, chatting through google translate with the owner. In the background, some guys were deconstructing and rebuilding an old cabinet. Wished I’d taken photos. We were the only customers. The dinner rush won’t start until 8.