travelswithalice

Apart from the beautiful roses from Uruguay that I always look for in the Dangwa flower market in Manila, I knew nothing about this country, nor to be honest have I ever tried to discover anything about it.

On a bus tour of Montevideo this morning, our young guide Cynthia changes all that for me. Engaging, spirited, and whip-smart, she starts her commentary with an invitation to call her out should anyone believe her to be lying or mistaken.

“I’m liking Uruguay more by the minute,” I keep whispering to Stuart. What’s not to like?

People here are known to be friendly and generally relaxed. They have lots of holidays, a mild climate, great beaches, good public transport, and apart from petty thievery, there is no serious crime. Assaults or muggings are practically unheard of.

Politics are not rabid or violent. While the country is predominantly Catholic, religious practice is low-key and mostly private. There is absolute separation of church and state.  

Government and the economy are stable, inflation and unemployment are low. Majority of the population is middle class and extreme poverty is virtually nonexistent.

Abortion, divorce, same-sex marriage, and marijuana are all legal. 

Education is free and obligatory for 14 years from age 4. Free health care is available to everybody, including visitors. Not only is abortion legal, it’s free, paid for by the government. The decision is solely the woman’s just as in cases of divorce: it’s the woman’s prerogative.

I have yet to see a policeman or an armed guard of any kind in the city. Cynthia says the country’s current president goes to work at his office building unescorted, using the main entrance just like everybody else. 

He opts to live in his own house and uses the official presidential house only when required by protocol for official functions. 

Except for the national flag by the front door, the president’s house looks ordinary; there are no guards.

At BAAR FUN FUN, a virtual shrine to tango dating back to the 19th century, we are introduced to the uvita, a high-octane liqueur similar to grappa.

“It’s just tango.”