7 January 2026

Some observations about Uruguay… if you plan to come here sometime

Wrapping up my trip to Uruguay. Waiting for my flight back to Atlanta via Panama. Absolutely loved the trip here. Here are some observations and tips:

1. It is a big country with very few people. Population is about half that of greater Atlanta. Of which, nearly half live in the capital city of Montevideo. But the people are very helpful and kind.

2. However, not too many people know English. Even in the large resorts, it was difficult to find somebody with passable English. Menus, instructions, directions – all are in Spanish. But people try to understand you and there is always Google translate.

3. This is a very safe country and traffic is incredibly disciplined. They will let the odd tourist cross the road nowhere near the pedestrian crossing without making much of a fuss. I took a bike and the cars would give me a wide latitude in the lanes. I would put this in the category of Costa Rica in terms of safety for tourists.

4. Uber is ubiquitous. My wait time was so little every time, it reminded me of Malta. Extremely efficient.

5. If you are a vegetarian, you might have a challenge. Like I experienced in Argentina and Brazil, this is totally a carnivorous country! There are grills everywhere. Getting vegetarian food is difficult. Even the Indian restaurant I went to had only one vegetable curry option!!

6. This I have never seen anywhere … it is very difficult to get salt shakers or ketchups at meals. Apparently, Uruguay has been going thru a concerted effort to reduce salt consumption for the population. Apparently, hypertension and obesity is something the government is trying to tackle to the ground!!

I hope you will visit Uruguay and absolutely make sure you keep Punta del Este in your schedule..

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7 January 2026

*Almost* made the mistake

Desperately needed to go the restrooms after lunch. The “banos” were upstairs. I glanced at the sign – and almost walked in, when instinctively looked the other way and realized something was amiss. Thinking “M” was for men and not “mujeres”, I almost created a scene. It does not help that the men and women sign for the bathroom has the man’s picture on the “M” side of the bathroom!

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6 January 2026

My new friend in Uruguay

As is my wont, I had found an Indian restaurant in the city I was visiting and headed there. Instead of taking an Uber from Mercado de Puerto, I decided to walk it up through Ciudad Vieja and along the long promenade on the Rio de La Plata. As a result, by the time I reached the restaurant – about an hour and fifteen minutes later – I had worked up quite an appetite.

There was nobody inside. I was afraid they might be closed. Everything in the market seemed to be mostly closed. Apparently, I had landed on Children’s Day in Uruguay. A very friendly lady came up and said something to me in Spanish.

In Uruguay, English is barely spoken. All menus, signs, and instructions are in Spanish.

“No habla español. ¿Hablas Englsh?” I tried my best.
“Sure. Please come in.”

That was a big relief. I finally found somebody who could speak English. As I mentioned, there was nobody else in the restaurant. That gave me an opportunity to get to know Annie and learn about her life story.

“Were you born and brought up in Montevideo?”
“No. I am from Venezuela. And you?”
“I am from Atlanta. In the US”

That could have become awkward given the current geopolitical tensions between the USA and Venezuela. But it turned out I didn’t have to worry about anything.

“Where in Venezuela? I have not been to Venezuela, but I have been to your neighboring country, Guyana.”
“Not too far from there, actually – Bolivar.”
“So, how did you end up in Montevideo?”
“Well, I got my degree as a doctor in Venezuela…”

“Wait a minute,” I interrupted her. A doctor waiting tables did not fit my picture of the world.
“… you are a medical doctor?”

“Yes. And so is my husband.”
“So, why are you working here?”

Fascinating story. The economic situation was so bad in Venezuela that they got out of there two years ago. Came to Uruguay since it is easier to get a residency. However, there are many doctors in Uruguay. Plus, the country is very small. Only about 3.5 million people. 1.5 million in Montevideo, and the rest are strewn all over the vast country.

“So, your degree is valid here?”
“Yes”
“But you get no patients?”
“Yes. There are so many doctors already.”
“Wow! Same thing with your husband?”
“Yes”

“So, how did you meet your husband?”
Annie got animated at this question. “I have a very interesting story. Do you want to hear it?”

“Of course!” I said, looking around and finding no food at the table nor any guests for her to attend to.

It was an incredible story of coincidence. She and her husband, Johny, worked at the same hospital but did not know each other. It was a case of a particular patient that both of them had to tend to separately. Ultimately, it was the patient who brought them together. Unfortunately, the patient eventually died of the ailment. But their relationship held ground!

A bell rang. My food was ready.

At the same time, a couple walked in. Seemed local, based on how they ordered without even looking at the menu.

Everything said and done, Facebook contacts exchanged, I finally took leave.

“Next time, bring your family.”
“Sure. I would like to meet Johny too.”

And that was how yet another stranger became a friend. Hopefully, the birthday calls will keep the contacts going, and one fine day, you never know… maybe we will all meet each other again! Life can work in very strange ways.

Category: Intersection Points, Vacations | LEAVE A COMMENT