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We were back down to Uruguay for our last stop in South America, from where we caught our flight to Guatemala. A month ago was unseasonably sunny and warm in Uruguay, but this time around the winter chill had arrived and jackets, jumpers and a bobble hat were suitable attire of an evening.
Just a jumper was not sufficient as it turned pretty nippy at dusk. In the main square, with one of the city's iconic buildings behind.
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Montevideo reminded us of Spanish cities - the architecture, apartment living, plazas and there is a general European look to the place and many of the people. A notable difference however, is the regular sight of a rickety wooden horse-drawn cart loaded high with cardboard collected by people out of rubbish left out for collection. Here, like most of Latin America, there is a rich/poor divide and many people scratch together an existence.
We stayed in the historic part of the city, and near to the port. Montevideo is right at the mouth of a huge river estuary into the Atlantic. Out of the main centre, it has miles of beaches lined with desirable apartment blocks.
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The historic centre was perfect to wander around, with several pedestrianised streets lined with some charming old shops with lovely facades, including traditional tailor shops, restaurants and the bookshop below.
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We made no great efforts to see the sights, instead choosing a five mile wander along the waterfront through several parks and back through the town.
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Montevideo doesn't capture all that is exciting about South America, but it was definitely a relaxing place to spend a day and a half before our flight.
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