Montevideo

Peñarol vs Liverpool

One of the major highlights of our stay in Montevideo was getting to see a division 1 futbol game. Complete with a healthy riot police squadron and the common debauchery you see in the stands. Loud chanting and the burning of flares carried on for the duration of the game. The match was a rain soaked, sloppy affair for much of the first half with the teams trading chances despite pooling water in several areas of the pitch. Peñarol broke the deadlock at the 42nd minute mark and the partisan crowd went wild. Cindy and I happily spent the half time break under some cover snacking on some terrible stadium food. Despite our best efforts to stay dry, the final leg of our journey to the stadium was running through a park in the midst of a downpour. Needless to say, we were thoroughly soaked before our arrival.  We had donned plastic bags for the game and they helped immensely with shedding the water that our own saturated rain gear could not. With no sign of a break in the clouds we trudged back into the unfavorable conditions for the second half. No assigned seating meant we could creep closer to the field for a different vantage point. The rain lessened and the execution on the field of play improved. Peñarol was now controlling the action and they struck again. There was no way back for Liverpool. They had conceded two goals and after a marginal challenge they were reduced to ten men. The offending player was quickly ushered down the tunnel as fans descended from their seats to taunt and gesture menacingly at the rival. The match ended with Peñarol threatening to add to their tally but the final score was 2-0. 

Museo de Futbol

Here Cindy captured me potting one at Uruguay´s museum of soccer. Shortly after I hoisted a world cup.  

Marina

Montevideo is where the Rio de la Plata meets the Atlantic ocean. It is easy to confuse the river for ocean due to the fact that it´s tremendous width meets the horizon. The mixing of fresh and salt water creates a unique amalgamation of colors.  

Buquebus

Cindy and I spent a day touring various points of interest in Montevideo by bus. We were free to disembark and venture into several different zones at each distinct bus stop.

Plaza Independencia

The stunning Plaza de Independencia is a gateway from Montevideo´s main center to the old city. Home to tall palm trees and incredible neoclassical architecture. A common theme in most Uruguayan towns and cities is to have a monument of General José Artigas erected in their central plazas. Montevideo is no different. However there is only one mausoleum for the General and it lies beneath this plaza.  

Ciudadela

Ciudad vieja or Ciudadela is the zone that makes up the western point of Montevideo. Old buildings line the cold streets. The more dilapidated avenues create a strange atmosphere and left us with an isolated feeling.